I paused for a moment.

[What’s wrong?]

"Ahhh, just making sure... What kind of sword are you? Are you sentient, legendary, cursed, demonic, sacred…?"

[Sacred! I’m a sacred sword. Isn’t it obvious?]

Sacred? She’s a sacred sword?! But according to history books, there are only five in the world, and all of them already have wielders!

Something’s off.

"Are you sure? You’re not lying to me, are you?"

Although there are few records about how sacred swords test their wielders… I’m pretty sure it involves angels and gods!

[Of course. You’ll see when we form the contract! Oh, and you might want to hurry—I'm sensing several enemies nearby.]

The sword spoke calmly, but I still had my doubts.

"Uhh… Could you at least tell me what blessings you have?" Holding the sword in my right hand, I waited for her response.

[Blessings… What’s that?]

Thrown off by her question, I realized my mistake.

'This sword... She’s a fake!'

I tried to let go, but I panicked when I felt my hand wouldn’t release the sword.

[What are you doing?! You’re going to die!]

"No! I won’t fall for this!"

[Fall for what? I’ve been helping you!]

"No! I don’t believe you! I know better than to fall for these little tricks!"

[Little tricks?!]

Frantically searching for a vial with my free hand to break the curse, the sword grew angry.

[You’re ungrateful! Do you know how hard it was to cast support magic from so far away? Those wolves would’ve killed you without me!]

"You?! You stayed quiet the whole time!"

[Do you think magic is easy? Want me to sing next time I cast a spell? Is that it? Do you want me to sing?!]

Pulling out a vial mid-argument, I grinned triumphantly.

"Your little games end here."

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

[No! Wait!]

Holding up a vial capable of undoing any curse, the sword started shouting as I uncorked it.

[Candidate! Don’t you dare pour that on me! I hate that stuff! I’ll never forgive you!]

Without mercy, I poured the liquid onto my right hand, waiting several minutes for it to take effect.

The sword fell silent during the process.

‘I’m safe… I owe Alexa for this.’

After a few minutes, I tried to release my grip…

It didn’t work.

'Huh? That’s strange. Enough time has passed, hasn’t it?'

Normally, the vial would’ve done its job by now. Panic set in as the situation didn’t change, so I spoke to the sword.

"Hey… Could you let me go?"

No response.

"You know… Humans make mistakes. I doubted you because I’m an idiot! A lesser being! So please… can we negotiate?"

While trying to reason with her, I started hearing the sounds of approaching creatures.

"Damn it."

A two-meter-tall bear appeared, followed by several wolves.

‘She wasn’t lying.’ I recalled the sword’s words, realizing she’d been right.

To my dismay, I couldn’t do anything. My right hand was bound, and I wasn’t skilled with my left. Normally, I’d run in this situation, but that wasn’t an option now.

"Hey, sword."

Still no answer.

The bear drew closer, its fangs massive—almost as big as my arms. But if anything stood out more, it was its claws.

"What’s your name?"

Ignoring my question, the bear roared.

‘I’m going to die,’ I thought instinctively, trembling at the sound.

Accepting my fate, I closed my eyes.

"I’d like to…" I swallowed hard. "Form a contract."

[Oohhh~ With my authority as a sword, I invoke thee! Barrier!]

A strong impact shook me. Opening my eyes, I saw a barrier blocking the bear’s strike.

"Huh?" Surprised to see a square barrier surrounding me, I watched the bear continue its assault.

[Don’t worry. Even if it spends its entire life, it’ll never break my barrier,] the sword declared confidently.

And she was right; no matter how hard the bear attacked, it couldn’t scratch it.

"Thank you."

[Thank you? You think a simple ‘thank you’ is enough? Look at me! I’m filthy!]

Sure enough, the sword was still drenched in the liquid I’d poured on her.

"Oh, sorry."

[Sorry?! Ughhhhh!] Biting her metaphorical tongue, the sword sighed. [Fine! Let’s make a contract.]

‘Don’t do it.’ Another intrusive thought, not my own, surfaced in my mind.

I ignored it completely this time.

"Yes!"

[Candidate! Do you promise never to abandon or doubt me?]

‘Why does this feel like a one-sided marriage proposal?’

"I swear!"

A magical inscription appeared on my right hand.

[I’ll lend you my strength! I’ll destroy your enemies. No one will stand against us! By my honor as a sacred sword, I’ll protect you until death do us part. But if you’re ever in danger, I reserve the right to take control of your body.]

"I accept! Wait, what?" I answered instinctively but froze as I processed her last statement.

‘What does she mean by taking control of my body?’

The mark on my hand disappeared, and the area under my eyes started to burn.

I could handle this kind of pain, but unexpectedly…

"Huh?" Glancing at the ground, I saw strands of hair falling like rain.

Strange. For some reason, those hairs seemed familiar…

"Wait… What the hell?!" The barrier trembled.

No, no. This can’t be…!

"My hair!!!"

As I pulled the sword from the ground, I felt completely rejuvenated…

And freezing.

[Hehe, human, no need to—]

Moving my left hand to my head, I confirmed my worst fear.

"Damn it!"

[What’s wrong?]

"Why?"

[Excuse me?]

Letting out a long sigh, I tried to release the sword…

"Huh?" I tried to unclench the hand holding her, but…

I couldn’t.

[Hey, hey… Are you planning to drop me?]

"Yes."

[I-I’m a sacred sword!]

"Yes!! A sacred sword that just made me bald!"

[Weren’t you the one so eager to be a candidate?!]

"I never read about sacred swords making people bald!"

[Minor details.]

Glaring at the sword, I tried to calm myself since she was technically right. I was the one who wanted to be a candidate in the first place. Now…

Damn it, I think I blacked out.