[Ice Demon Sword Sarahoff]

A once in a lifetime masterpiece created by Hoffman! You would be hard pressed to find a finer blade than this.

The blade is made up of the mysterious alloy, Halium, and various dragon materials were used to create the hilt.

Halium makes the blade extremely light, yet tough. At the same time, the blade is unbelievably sharp.

Hoffman's desire for revenge is contained within this sword. When you face Inarius, a latent ability will activate.

The Northern Disaster, the Ice Queen Saila is sealed within. Sealing a demon within a demon sword crafted by a Master Blacksmith has resulted in something extraordinary.

The demon sword has retained its abilities, and has gained the demon's power on top of that!

Untradeable. Upon death, there is a high chance that the demon sword will drop, or that you become a monster under the demon's control for 24 hours.

+ Absolute Destruction: Anything that clashes with this blade will break. This includes weapons, armor, tough scales, and even bone! The object in question will eventually break, depending on how tough it is.

+ Damage Amplification: Always increases the damage you deal to your enemy. At minimum, increases damage by 1.5 times, and at maximum, increases it by 3 times. Will stack with critical hits!

+ ??? [Depends on the result of the Trial of the Demon Sword]

Rank: SS.

Abilities: Attack Power 1200, Main Stats +50.

Minimum Requirements: Clear the Trial of the Demon Sword.

"Ahem." Kang Oh carefully read through Sarahoff's information.

There were three major changes.

First, the item effects had changed. Demon Sword Akanhoff's 'Dangerous Gamble' had disappeared, and would be replaced by an unknown ability in the future. Second, the equip requirements had changed; like Ubist or Blood, he could only equip it by passing the Trial of the Demon Sword. Finally, it increased all of his main stats by 50. Since there were four main stats, it increased his stats by 200!

'It all looks good, but... The demon sword's trial will prove to be a problem.'

Overcoming the Trial of the Demon Sword was no easy feat. Especially when faced with an opponent that he had no prior knowledge of.

'No, that's wrong. I do have some info.'

The trial definitely had something to do with ice. Saila was originally a Yuki-Onna, and had transformed into the Ice Queen by absorbing the Ice Soul's power.

'It'll be hard if it wants me to withstand Absolute Zero.' Kang Oh thought back to Absolute Zero's frightening power, and trembled briefly. 'So I have to prepare some insurance before I even attempt the trial.'

Kang Oh placed Sarahoff into his inventory without equipping it. Then, he ripped a return scroll. The glittering powder flew through the air, and he completely vanished. He had returned to Altein.

* * *

Several churches' paladins and priests were staying at the Great Temple of Rakan.

For example, the followers of the God of Light, Garuda, the Goddess of Contracts, Sabra, the God of Fate, Hamel, the Goddess of the Earth, Mina, etc.

If the Evil God Worshippers showed up, then they'd be able to call for reinforcements, and they were also here to prevent them from reclaiming their sacred treasure. In other words, they were the Rakan Church's honored guests.

The Rakan High Priest, Mahakan, had given his 2nd disciple, Saru, the responsibility of serving their guests. There was a reason he'd asked his 2nd disciple, not his 1st. Saru was a bit more considerate than Nazaran, and he was more thorough too.

"Is your room to your liking?" Saru asked the Garuda Church's priests, sporting a bright expression.

"The room was clean and quiet. Thank you." A priestess bowed her head, representing the rest of the priests.

"It's just common courtesy. If you have any issues during your stay here, or if you need my help for anything, then please don't hesitate to call me."

Saru's smiling face exuded warmth.

"Yes..." the priestess said, blushing and smiling slightly.

After that, Saru met with the other churches, and treated them with proper respect.

"Hoho, I already know who you are, Mr. Saru. Let's spar someday," the representative of the God of Fate, Hamel, said. He was a paladin.

"I welcome the challenge anytime!" Saru immediately replied.

"Thank you for your kindness. Please visit our church sometime. We'll be sure to repay the favor," one of Sabra's paladins said, moved by how considerate he was.

The Small Sun, Saru. He truly was a bright, warm person. Plus, he was extremely likeable. There wasn't a single person from the other churches that hated him.

This was a talent that Nazaran, Mahakan's 1st disciple and the Steel Monk, didn't possess. Saru was definitely the right man for the job.

However, Nazaran couldn't accept this.

'Damn it!' Nazaran clenched his fist as the other churches surrounded Saru. 'Why!? Why is it!?'

Not only was Saru's task extremely important to the Rakan Church right now, but he was also acting as their representative too.

'So why wasn't I, the 1st disciple, picked instead?'

Of course, he'd heard Mahakan's explanation. Apparently, Saru was a better fit for this particular job.

Plus, Nazaran had been given a crucial task himself. He was put in charge of the temple's security.

If he had been of sound mind, then he would've let this go. Unfortunately, Nazaran wasn't thinking straight right now. He couldn't help but feel a sense of jealousy, as well as fear that Saru was stealing his rightful place.

"It's clear." A voice whispered in his ear.

At first, Nazaran thought it was just his imagination, but at some point, he started believing that these whispers were his thoughts, not someone else's.

He had no idea that these whispers were the result of the Evil God's First Disciple.

"It's clear?" Nazaran muttered.

"It is, isn't it? This is your future."

"My future..."

'No way!'

"Saru will follow in Master Mahakan's footsteps and become the next High Priest. And you'll be reduced to a dog that protects the temple."

"Shut up!" Nazaran furiously yelled.

"You can't deny it, can you?" the voice whispered treacherously.

"I said shut up!"

"Nazaran, Nazaran. My foolish Nazaran. If you don't deal with Saru, then there will be no future for you."

Nazaran bit his lip and covered his ears. However, he couldn't block out the whispers.

"You're the only one who's clueless. Saru is the future High Priest."

"No, shut up!" Nazaran screamed.

Yet again, the whispers continued. "Loser, coward, trash."

Then, Nazaran's eyes briefly turned murderous. 'What if Saru was out of the equation?'

However, he still had a speck of reason left in him. He quickly shook his head. 'No, no!'

"Haa." Nazaran sighed deeply and weakly walked away.

* * *

Kang Oh, who'd walked out of Altein's intercity transfer gate, sent a message to his companions. He explained that he'd defeated Saila, and in turn, received a 'you must've worked hard'.

'Yeah, I did.' Kang Oh nodded his head and headed for the Holiseum.

The area underneath the white building, which had a strong resemblance to the real life coliseum, was where the gladiators lived.

However, it was quieter than normal.

Burkan, Dion, Darion, and the rest of the 100 Fighters were in the Daltrak Region right now in search of the Evil God Worshippers' main base.

Click.

Kang Oh went inside Burkan's room and saw Valan there.

"I'm here."

Valan looked him over. "I heard the Whispers of the Earth a little while ago. Did you deal with it?" Valan asked.

"I just came back from dealing with it."

"Good job."

"I was able to seal a demon because of it. Would you like to take a look?"

"Sure."

Kang Oh pulled out the Ice Demon Sword, Sarahoff, and passed it over to Valan. Valan stroked Sarahoff's long blade.

"Did you seal the Northern Disaster inside?"

Valan remembered what the Whispers of the Earth had told him. It had definitely stated that the Northern Disaster threatened to freeze half of the continent.

"Yes. And as you said, the demon sword didn't lose its inherent abilities. The demon's abilities were added on top of them."

"It's too good a sword for you to use."

Kang Oh pouted at that. 'There's no one better at dampening my spirits.'

"I suppose you'll grow into it when you become a Master," Valan said.

"I'm going to become a Master," Kang Oh said firmly.

"You better, if you don't want to die by my blade." Valan narrowed his eyes.

His training philosophy was simple. Just do it. If you can't, then you get beat up, or you might even die.

"Ahem, ahem." Kang Oh couldn't hide his discomfort.

'Man, this old man's always threatening my life! Do I look like that much of a pushover to you!? Huh!?'

"If it pisses you off, then come at me."

Even though he'd lost an arm, Valan hadn't changed. He was still just as stern and arrogant as when he first met him.

"No, I'm ok." Kang Oh lied to save his skin. He wasn't strong enough to match up to him yet.

"Enough with the chit-chat. Go out and train."

"There's something I'd like to ask you to do for me first."

"What?"

"I have to take the demon sword's trial. If, and I mean if, I don't pass the trial, then..." Kang Oh trailed off.

"You mean if you're possessed by the demon?"

"Yes."

"Then that's when you die." Valan snarled.

The Guardian of the Continent becoming a monster that threatened the continent!? That was completely unthinkable and unforgivable.

"So if something seems off about me, then please don't hesitate to kill me."

"You're going to take the trial here, so you want me to sit and watch."

"Yes, exactly."

Valan stared at him blankly. "You're the one who sealed the demon, right?"

"Who else would've done it?"

"Idiot."

"Excuse me?"

"No, never mind. Do what you want."

"Then..." Kang Oh retrieved Sarahoff from Valan and gripped it tightly.

[Ice Demon Sword Sarahoff's trial has begun.]

The environment momentarily changed. It was a snowy field that stretched on for miles on end! His vision was obscured by the raging blizzard too.

Kang Oh checked his condition. He was carrying Sarahoff, and his equipment had remained the same.

'Is it like Blood's trial?'

At that moment...

He received a completely unexpected system message.

[You have passed the Ice Demon Sword Sarahoff's trial.]

"What?"

'I didn't do anything, but I passed. Wait, what the hell is going on?'

The blizzard died down, and a giant castle of ice and snow appeared before him.

He then entered the castle. There was a shining chandelier made of ice that hung from the ceiling. A beautiful woman with long black hair, pale skin, and blue eyes stood below it.

It was the Yuki-Onna, Saila.

"Saila... Is hello appropriate here?" Kang Oh said carefully, remaining tense.

"Sara. Please call me Sara," she said.

"Sara?"

"That's my original name. I was called Saila once I became a shaman. I don't like that name."

Saila, or Sara, dreamt of a life of freedom. However, she was forced to become a shaman, so she obviously hated the name she'd been given.

'So that's why the demon sword is called Sarahoff.'

"Alright. Sara then. Did I pass the demon sword's trial?" Kang Oh asked.

"Of course you did."

"I didn't do anything though."

"What do you mean? You sealed a demon within the sword. Hmm, calling myself a demon is kind of weird. Anyhow, you're the one who sealed myself and the Ice Soul's power within the sword."

"So I automatically passed the trial because I'm the one who sealed you?"

"Yes," Sara said.

Kang Oh suddenly thought back to how Valan had called him an 'idiot'. He knew that Kang Oh, as the one who'd sealed Sara into the sword, had no need of passing the trial.

Thus, he must've felt like Kang Oh was being ridiculous by asking him to kill him just in case something went astray.

'If you knew, then you could've told me earlier. You asshole.'

However, Kang Oh knew that Valan wasn't exactly the nicest person in the world, so he shouldn't have expected him to warn him.

'Phew. It's my fault for getting involved with someone like him.'

Anyhow, Kang Oh stopped worrying about Valan, and focused on Sara instead.

"If it wasn't me, but someone else, what would the trial have been like?" Kang Oh asked.

"You'd have to fight the Ice Queen and win."

"Mm." Kang Oh thought of Devil Trigger. If he reached an assimilation rate of 1,000%, then he'd have to face all of his demons simultaneously.

The Abyss Predator, Ubist! The Great Forest's Demon, Blood! Finally, the Ice Queen, Sara! To think he'd have to face all of them at once!

'It'd be crazy hard.'

However, it wasn't something he'd have to worry about right now. After all, his assimilation rate was far from maxed out.

"Since I passed the trial, I can get going now, right?"

"No. You have to do something first," Sara said.

"Which is?"

"You have to pick between the two of us: me or the Ice Soul!"

At that moment...

A system message popped up.

[You must make a choice between two options. Based on your decision, the demon sword's power and abilities will change.]