I Became a Foreign Worker Loved by Transcendents

Chapter 19: Agree To The Terms And Conditions Carefully!

Ego weapons.

A term that encompassed weapons with their own will, always ranked among the highest-grade equipment in this world.

Considering mana, the main energy of this world, was harnessed by human will, the idea of a weapon handling it autonomously and creating synergy with its owner wasn't so far-fetched, was it?

Having such a weapon recognize my presence and engrave me as its owner would be a significant event.

Yes, I thought it would certainly be so...

"But I should tell you, having the ability to forcibly contract with an ego weapon is more of a curse than a blessing."

"What? A curse?"

"Whether it's a holy sword or a demon sword, ego weapons are inherently stubborn about their purpose."

She held the mithril spear that had been in my hand and examined its surface closely as she continued explaining.

"For instance, a demon sword inevitably goes berserk if it's not periodically stained with blood, and a holy sword has an obsession with fulfilling its mission, often imposing this obsession on its user. What do you think happens if the owner neglects these purposes and misuses the power?"

"...Would the weapon try to kill its user?"

"It could be worse than death. The user might become a puppet, consumed by the weapon's will, be punished for not complying, or in extreme cases, be kept barely alive and sealed away..."

Hearing these examples was enough to make my throat go dry.

Ignoring my anxiousness, she began leisurely tapping the tip of the spear with her finger.

"Moreover, unlike humans, ego weapons are solely focused on the purpose for which they were made, leading to an obsessive attachment to the contracted individual. Thus, it's ideal to use them in a cooperative manner only when interests align, rather than recognizing oneself as the owner."

Yes, in my excitement at handling such a prized weapon, I'd momentarily forgotten.

That my ability, simply to be remembered by someone, was far from winning their favor.

Considering I was unwittingly registered on the adventurers' guild blacklist, how could I simply be elated after hearing her words?

"So, then. The weapon I'm holding now...?"

"Don't worry. While ego weapons need some growth to fully awaken their consciousness, this one is newly made and only operates on instinct. If there's a problem, we can just melt it down and forge a new weapon."

"...Is it okay to melt down an ego weapon that easily?"

"Not easily. A mature ego weapon would fiercely resist upon realizing it's being destroyed."

I meant it more in the sense of being a precious item...

But she mentioned reasons that could pose even greater problems than I thought.

Rumors said a berserker consumed by a demon sword had slaughtered a thousand soldiers; a holy sword had excised a demon general's heart... If such formidable weapons ran amok, it would lead to devastation beyond measure.

"Still, it would be a shame to send it back as is."

She casually handled such a dangerous weapon, then smirked and pointed the handle of the spear at me.

As if suggesting that I should grasp the handle of the spear.

"Having the ability to affect an ego weapon just by holding it is something I've never seen before... You haven't fully harnessed that ability either, so you wouldn't want to let such an opportunity slip away, would you?"