Chapter 49: The Megalodon Sword

Not every weapon cuts with a blade.
Some do so with truth.
And not every truth is meant to be held.

There are objects that were not created to serve…
but to test, to observe, to challenge the will of the one who wields them.
Sometimes, it isn’t about whether you can bear the power—
but whether that power wishes to be borne by you.

Because in a world where the extraordinary is commonplace,
true rarity is being worthy.
And the real battle is not fought outside…
but within.

——————————————————————————————————————————

The noise of the market was nearly deafening, yet Yuki walked at an unhurried pace, her eyes filled with curiosity and a blend of awe and unease.
She was in the heart of the Atlantean capital, surrounded by colossal marine structures, floating crystals, and streams of suspended water weaving through the air.

—This place is enormous... —she thought, glancing around—. It’s even bigger than Grek’s capital.

In the distance, dull echoes rang out, as if two giants were sparring. The shockwaves of each impact reached her from the central coliseum. She knew it was Yohei and Atlas.

—Come, come! The finest weapons in the kingdom! —shouted a merchant with a booming voice, waving a banner lined with glimmering scales—. Marine edge, pearl-forged steel, sealed blades, coral spears!

Yuki approached, intrigued. Her own sword had begun to crack after the last battles; it wouldn’t last much longer.
—I could use a new one, —she murmured, examining the displayed weapons carefully.

Her gaze stopped on a sword of deep blue and black tones, gleaming as if submerged in the depths of the ocean. Its hilt was slender but firm, and something about it felt… alive.

—Young lady, —the merchant said upon noticing her stare—, you seem to have a good eye for blades.
Yuki smiled politely.
—Thank you, sir.
—What kind of energy do you use?
—Water.
—Then this one might interest you.

The man removed a dark cloth covering the sword and presented it with both hands. Its glow intensified, as though responding to Yuki’s presence.
—It’s forged from sapphire mined in the Abyssal Kingdom’s caverns and volcanic obsidian from the deep-sea trenches. A… unique combination.

Yuki didn’t look away.
—What’s the price?
—Ten silver mondas and two gold.

The number made her blink. It wasn’t a small sum.
—That’s expensive... —she thought—. But if it truly adapts to me, it’ll be worth every coin.

Before she could answer, a voice rang out beside her—mocking yet firm.
—Hey, hey, Morgan. It’s not right to scam our visitors, especially when they come in peace. Aren’t you tired of your old pirate habits?

The merchant snorted and narrowed his eyes at the newcomer.
—Didn’t expect to see you here, Prince Diaprepes...
—I have to be, —the young man replied with a casual air—. After all, you’re trying to swindle my future student.

—Me? —Yuki’s eyes widened.

The Atlantean prince approached—slender, his wavy hair floating lightly in the humid air, a confident smile playing on his lips.
—Sorry for not introducing myself sooner. I’m Diaprepes, youngest prince of the Atlantean Kingdom.
—A pleasure. I’m Yuki Tsuka… daughter of Aphrodite.
—Nice to meet you, Yuki. Looks like you’re having trouble choosing your next weapon. Need a hand?
—Yes. I need something that suits my energy better. My previous sword is about to break.

Diaprepes studied the blade she’d been eyeing for a few seconds, then nodded firmly.
—Then I recommend that one.
Morgan frowned.
—Are you serious?
—Yes.
—Can you even sense what it emits?
—Yes. It’s a cursed weapon. And it can channel Lack energy as well. Do I need to know anything else?

The merchant shook his head, his earlier confidence gone.
—No...

Yuki looked at him cautiously.
—A cursed weapon?
Diaprepes nodded.
—In this world, there are five ranks of weapons. The normal ones—most of them—are ordinary, without special properties. The cursed—only twenty exist, each housing a demon within. The elemental—seven total—amplify powers like fire, water, wind... Then come the divine—four unique weapons unlike anything else. And finally, the lost ones… relics of the first creator gods. No one knows their forms, but it’s said that whoever holds both… will become the king of all races.

Yuki swallowed hard. The sword’s glow now seemed deeper. Darker.
—I didn’t know any of that...
Morgan looked at her seriously.
—Young lady, I don’t recommend carrying that weapon. Its power is real, yes. But the price… is more than you can imagine. My entire fleet was lost to the madness that blade spread among my men. If you value a normal life, stay away from it.

Yuki lowered her gaze for a moment—but then lifted it again with determination.
—Thank you for the warning, sir. But in this world... nothing is normal.

Diaprepes smiled faintly.
—I’ll cover the cost. Morgan, put it on my account.
—Yes, my prince...

The scene dissolved into the sound of the sea. In the next image, Yuki and Diaprepes were walking together along a deserted beach, the waves licking slowly at the sand.
—What are we doing here...? —Yuki wondered, feeling the damp wind and the weight of her new sword across her back.

The waves broke gently on the shore, and the sea wind whistled through the rocks. Diáprepes stood with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on Yuki as she sat on the damp sand with the new sword across her knees.
—The first thing to master your weapon, —he said in a firm voice— is knowing how much of its power you can actually withstand.

She looked up.
—What do you mean?
—Weapons with a Lack spirit aren’t easily tamed. It doesn’t matter what your will says. They decide how much power they’ll give you… and whether they deem you worthy. Unless, of course, you’re strong enough to force them to obey.

Diáprepes took a few steps closer so his shadow fell over Yuki.
—You’ll have to speak with the demon that lives inside that sword. That will be your first step. But be careful… it won’t be a simple conversation. Especially not with what’s in there.

Yuki nodded solemnly, closed her eyes, and placed both hands on the hilt. The outside world blurred.

A second later, everything changed.

She was alone in a submerged chamber, as if the ocean had swallowed her. The water didn’t suffocate her, but everything felt dense, heavy… alive.

And then she felt it.
A dark presence watching her from the depths. A pair of crimson eyes opened in the liquid shadows. The demon rose slowly, imposing, with sharp features and scaly skin. Its jaw was lined with fangs. Its silhouette recalled a colossal, upright shark—ancient and primal.

—Welcome, —the creature said, its voice reverberating through the water like a restrained roar—. So… a demigoddess. Not bad.

Yuki showed no fear. Only caution.
—You seem more aware than I expected. Are you awake… all the time?
—I’ve been locked here for centuries, —the demon replied in a grave tone—. I’ve seen many pass by. Some used me… others failed. You learn to tell who’s worth it and who’s not.

Yuki stepped forward, challenging it with her gaze.
—Then tell me. What do you think of me?

The demon laughed—dry, humorless.
—You’re not worth it.

His words struck her like a spear. Yuki’s eyes widened in disbelief.
—Why? On what basis do you say that?
—I admit you have potential, —he answered, lowering his voice—. But right now, if I gave you even a fraction of my power… I’d destroy you from within. You’d most likely end up with wounds you couldn’t heal.

—Test me, —she said with resolve—. I’m willing to take the risk.

The demon raised an eyebrow in absolute contempt.
—This isn’t about what you decide. Your wishes mean nothing to me. If you want my power… earn it.

The water shuddered. The pressure rose.
—When you’re worth it… come back.

Yuki fell to her knees, gasping, exhausted. The world blurred.

When she opened her eyes, the sky was stained orange by the sunset. Diáprepes watched her in silence, without judgment.
—You failed.

She lowered her head, ashamed.
—That only means one thing, —he continued—. You need to get stronger. Shall we begin?

Yuki rose to her feet with effort, still feeling the weight of rejection.
—Yes!

Without warning she lunged at him with her sword drawn. Diáprepes barely moved; he dodged with impossible fluidity.
—Your movements are predictable. You’re slow.
—Yes! —she repeated, forcing her body to go faster.

Diáprepes stopped the blade with two fingers and, with a slight flick of the wrist, sent it flying. Yuki sank into the water like a stone. Frustration welled up as she descended.
—How is this possible…? —she thought—. He doesn’t seem that strong, yet he predicts everything I do… How?

She burst to the surface and, without thinking, shouted:
—Water Technique: Dark Megalodon!

A gigantic figure of water formed and lunged at Diáprepes, shaped like a shark wrapped in darkness. The wave roared violently.

But he simply extended a hand. The attack stopped… then reversed, returning to its creator with even greater force.
—Damn it! —Yuki cried.

The impact engulfed her and left her breathless. Her body floated face-up as the sky turned violet.
—Are you okay? —Diáprepes asked, approaching.
—Yes… —she whispered—. I just… realized how weak I am.

He knelt beside her, wet to the knees.
—It’s okay. The important thing is not to give up. If you do… I won’t forgive you.

Yuki closed her eyes. Her body was spent, but her mind burned.
—So… tired…

Her body began to sink slowly.
—Hey! Hey! Hold on! Heyyyyy!

Diáprepes’s voice faded like a distant echo.