Chapter 473

Jinhyuk didn’t know exactly what Guntafer had whispered, but the constant shift in Teresa’s personality made it clear—his Unique Holy Spear had failed.

Really, how could he possibly manipulate someone with two distinct personalities?

One, a pure-hearted saint.
The other, a fallen and depraved saint.

There was no way to persuade both at once.

With this, Guntafer’s attempt to corrupt Teresa had crumbled.

But…

Chun Yoosung was a different story.

Deep within his heart lay an undeniable desire.

A craving that overshadowed anything else.

…To defeat his greatest rival.

To prove it with his own hands.

And Guntafer…

Had the power to understand exactly what someone wanted and exploit it.

Vwooom!

[Guntafer activates the Unique Holy Spear ‘Deep Desire’s Bargain’!]

A sweet, seductive voice slithered into Chun Yoosung’s ear.

An irresistible temptation.

—It’s not a lack of effort. It’s not a lack of talent. Then why do you think you’ve never reached the top?

A question.

One that was both fundamental and painfully sensitive.

Chun Yoosung’s grip on his sword loosened slightly.

“What are you trying to say?”

—The only thing separating you from Kang Jinhyuk is ‘Fortuitous Encounters.’ That’s all. He only became stronger because countless deities showered him with divine relics. But if you had the same level of support, you could easily surpass him.

…Surpass him?

“…Me?”

Chun Yoosung’s voice trembled.

More than saving the world, more than protecting humanity…

There was only one dream that had consumed him for his entire life.

Defeating Jinhyuk.

If it meant achieving that goal…

He was willing to sacrifice anything.

Even if it meant selling his soul to a Demon King.

Guntafer immediately retrieved two divine relics.

—‘The Sword of Cabalado’ and ‘The Demon King’s Ring.’ Both are supreme-tier relics from the upper floors. They will never be inferior to the scraps that fool possesses. If you accept my contract, these will be yours.

“But that’s…”

—Betrayal? No, this is not betrayal. How could the desire to grow stronger be considered treachery?

This was simply restoring fairness.

No reason for guilt.

“……”

Chun Yoosung fell silent.

A status window had already appeared before him, detailing the two relics.

[The Sword of Cabalado] – A demonic relic that pushes the wielder’s potential to its absolute limits.

[The Demon King’s Ring] – Triples resistance against non-demonic beings and grants access to Lv30+ Dark Magic.

Both were SSS-rank fortuitous encounters.

‘If I take them, I’ll also fulfill the condition for awakening my Unique Holy Spear.’

This wasn’t just an upgrade in weaponry.

This was a step toward acquiring the ultimate sword technique—his Unique Holy Spear.

His lips were dry.

His heart pounded like crazy.

Was this betrayal?

Or the only path to achieving his dream?

Once, he wouldn’t have hesitated.

The answer would have been obvious.

But now…

For some reason, it wasn’t so simple.

“……”

Turning his back on the people he had fought alongside…

It wasn’t as easy as he thought.

Even this annoying, unwanted connection had somehow grown on him.

‘I must be losing my mind.’

Chun Yoosung let out a small chuckle.

The fact that he was even considering this meant something.

Maybe… all those years fighting together hadn’t been meaningless.

‘Fine. I’ll defeat him first… then I’ll cut down Guntafer.’

That way, at least he’d feel less guilty.

“I accept.”

From between his slowly parting lips—

Chun Yoosung made his decision.

—A wise choice.

Guntafer smiled.

[Contract has been established!]

[Unique Holy Spear ‘Deep Desire’s Bargain’ is now in effect!]

“……”

Chun Yoosung’s entire aura shifted.

A creeping, sinister energy coiled around him.

One sword in each hand—

[Ryuha] and [The Sword of Cabalado.]

[You have obtained ownership of ‘The Sword of Cabalado’ and ‘The Demon King’s Ring.’]

[Unique Holy Spear Awakening Condition has been met!]

“This… is my new power?”

Cold, razor-sharp demonic energy.

He hadn’t even activated his Unique Holy Spear yet, and already his sword aura had evolved to a completely new level.

“Y-Yoosung…?”

Teresa stammered.

As a Holy Knight, she understood exactly what this meant.

Demonification.

Unlike angels or ancient species, a player who formed a contract with a Demon King would be corrupted.

It wouldn’t be noticeable at first, but over time—

His personality and even his appearance would begin to change.

“Kuhaha! I couldn’t take both of them, but this isn’t bad at all. Tell me, how does it feel to watch your precious ally betray you?”

Guntafer let out a triumphant laugh.

The battle had been evenly matched—

But now, their strongest ally had switched sides.

Victory was all but certain.

⁕ ⁕ ⁕

Watching Guntafer cackle, Jinhyuk scratched his chin.

‘…Should I pretend to be shocked for his sake?’

Well, he could understand the excitement.

His trump card had worked.

And honestly, Guntafer’s build-up strategy had been sharp.

Every step he had taken had carefully cornered Jinhyuk into an increasingly dangerous situation.

‘So Chun Yoosung finally awakened his Unique Holy Spear….’

Seeing it like this felt surreal.

The same guy who used to cling to him like a crazed stalker, constantly challenging him…

Had now acquired one of the most powerful techniques in the Tower of Trials.

At this level, even among top players and residents, few could stand against him.

“Yoosung… getting stronger is great and all, but did you really have to side with him right away?”

Seriously.

Had he never heard the golden rule?

Never sign a contract that looks too good to be true.

Didn’t he know that great power always comes with a price?

“I won’t make excuses. But I have no regrets.”

Like a finely honed blade.

Chun Yoosung drew a line in the sand, signaling that any further conversation was meaningless.

Sssk…

As the two swords crossed, the dialogue came to an end.

No matter what was said, it wouldn’t get through to this stubborn fool.

“Jinhyuk… what do we do now?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll fix that thick skull of his myself.”

Under normal circumstances, this would have been frustrating.

But not this time.

Because this situation had presented a rare opportunity—

The chance to obtain the Unique Holy Spear of the Sword Saint.

“But if you’re fighting Yoosung… what about that monster?”

“You don’t need to worry about that either.”

Jinhyuk wiped the cold sweat from his cheek.

Even though he wasn’t fighting yet, the strain on his body was overwhelming.

That could only mean one thing—

Alice was rampaging.

Which, in turn, meant that whoever was dealing with her was struggling to hold their ground.

And just as if to confirm that thought—

Kwa-kwakwa-kwa-kwa!

The barrier shattered.

A massive spear made of blood shot through the air.

“……What!?”

The once-composed Guntafer dodged in haste.

Kwaaaaang!

The ground where he had been standing moments ago transformed into a bottomless crater.

“Dare to lay your filthy hands on my contractor?”

Alice von Ataraxia.

The pureblood True Ancestor who once led the Ataraxia clan had descended.

“A ruined head of a fallen house… yet you still don’t know your place? You’re just rushing to your death!”

“Oh? And you… The coward who never dared to meet my gaze—just because you became a Demon King, you think you’ve grown some backbone? Should I remind you of the good old days?”

The red halos behind her shimmered, a symbol of the Unique Holy Spear ‘Apocalypse Revelation.’

Floating behind her were countless crimson spears, each one carrying the force of a divine relic.

Truly, Alice was a force to be reckoned with.

‘Bringing her out of the Corridor of the Fallen was one of the best decisions I ever made.’

“Thanks, Alice. You really saved my ass. If not for you, I don’t know what would’ve happened…”

“W-Wait, really? I was that useful?”

“Yeah. That was a performance worthy of my greatest partner.”

At the phrase “greatest partner,” a series of images flashed through Alice’s mind.

A future where they fell in love, got married, had children, and grew old together.

“Hehehe. No, wait, ahem! Now you’re finally realizing my greatness, huh? Well then, just say the word. What else do you need?”

“Nothing much, really. I just wanted to say that I’m happy you’re here with me.”

Jinhyuk smiled.

Then, he subtly glanced to the side.

This should be enough of a trigger.

Sure enough—

“…….”

Teresa’s expression darkened.

A Holy Knight was fine and all…

But at this moment, a different personality was needed for better synergy.

And this was the most efficient way to bring it out.

As Alice hopped around happily, a new voice cut in.

“Hoooh~ Did the little pup drink a lot of milk or something? She’s full of energy. Wagging her tail like an excited puppy after getting a little praise.”

“I-Idiot Saint…! Wait, who are you calling a little pup!?”

Sparks flew between them.

They didn’t get along, but—

Their skills were undeniable.

Even while bickering, they’d get the job done.

“Sigh… Whatever. How about we settle this with a simple rule? The strongest takes it all.”

“Fine. I have no reason to refuse a bet I’m obviously going to win.”

Both Alice and Teresa turned toward Guntafer.

Like predators eyeing their prey.

⁕ ⁕ ⁕

With Guntafer temporarily occupied, the battlefield was left with just two people.

[Chun Yoosung activates ‘Battlefield Selection’ Lv16!]

The scenery around them changed.

This place…

It was where they had first fought in the Tower of Trials.

The same location where Jinhyuk had obtained Frozen Tears and Grave of Swords inside the Corridor of the Fallen.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment.”

Chun Yoosung’s eyes locked onto Jinhyuk.

From the moment they first met until now—

He had longed for this chance.

A chance to fight him as an equal.

To reach a level that had previously been beyond his grasp.

And now, that moment had come.

Armed with the strongest weapons, fortuitous encounters, and even a Unique Holy Spear.

“It’s not new, but… You really are crazy, you know that? Out of all people, you made a soul-binding contract with Guntafer.”

“…Of course. But someone like you—who always wins—would never understand.”

The pain of defeat.

The despair and frustration of always being second place.

That agony… only the losers knew.

“But that ends today. This time, I’ll defeat you and take my place at the top!”

The energy around him compressed into a single point.

Refined sword aura crystallized—

Two swords, each carrying a distinct radiance.

He had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship.

And transcended it.

[Chun Yoosung activates his Unique Holy Spear!]

The moon-swallowing night and the sun-shrouding day faded into nothingness.

A world devoid of color.

Everything was dyed in pure white.

[Unique Holy Spear ‘White Night’ has been activated!]

“This is my Unique Holy Spear.”

Blinding white light erupted.

Chun Yoosung’s hair and eyes turned completely white.