In the Name of God - vanish into fiction

The reason my apostle chose such a crude spear as his first weapon was purely because of me.

Although it was a slightly different shape from this, I too had used a spear for a long time back when I was actively working as a combat mercenary. So much so that everyone who looked at me would think of that spear as my symbol.

Since I knew so much about spears, I naturally recommended a spear to my apostle, who was not yet an adult. Even though he was growing day by day as he entered his late teens, if he recklessly swung heavy weapons like swords or maces before his physical growth was complete, it was obvious his body would break down first.

Instead of taking the ignorant brute strength of monsters head-on, securing a safe distance using a long reach was also far more advantageous for survival.

Above all, if it was a spear, I also enjoyed using it, so there was a lot I could teach him.

Thrusting, blocking, swinging, the knack for measuring distance, and even beyond that.

Out of many weapons, I thought I had more know-how regarding spears than anyone else, which was also why I recommended it even more actively.

‘Since I could not teach him directly in words or actions, I even created and handed over a spearmanship guide that was not even in my destiny. I suffered quite a bit back then.’

Even now, the list of files downloadable from the system included the spearmanship guide I made. The only one who knew of its existence was purely my apostle, though.

‘No, that is not the issue.’

Having been lost in memories for a moment, I quickly pulled myself together and narrowed my eyes sharply.

‘Why is this here?’

Because my memories were not intact, there was no way to know through what route the black spear my apostle used had flowed all the way into this Prestige Market. My apostle had also begun using a sword from a certain point onward, but again, due to memory issues, I did not know exactly when he let go of that spear from his hands.

Even so, the treatment alone was extraordinary.

The black spear was reverently enshrined inside the most luxurious display case in the exact center of this vast weapon area.

Around the black spear lying on a red velvet cushion, cool blue mana barriers were wrapped double and triple, and the spotlight pouring from the ceiling illuminated only that single spear.

It looked as if it were being put on a pedestal as a noble sacred relic, or perhaps a legendary treasure sword.

However, what was the use of good treatment?

A practical weapon that had pierced through and ripped apart numerous monsters had become a mere spectacle inside a shop window.

‘It could not be that the child put it up for sale… Did someone steal it and sell it off?’

There was no way my apostle would sell off an item imbued with memories of me for mere money.

Could it be that he was forced to leave this weapon here by someone else’s will?

“Pardon me, but that is not an item for sale.”

Just as I was silently glaring at the black spear, an elderly man approached and politely spoke to us.

He was a man dressed in a neat suit resembling a tailcoat. Seeing that he wore a name badge with the Prestige Market logo pinned to his chest, he seemed to be a manager or supervisor overseeing this section rather than a simple salesperson.

Combing back his silver-white hair neatly, he wore a good-natured smile, but the gaze behind his glasses was scanning us quite sharply.

“Please lightly view it with your eyes only and move along. Because it is such a precious item, it would be troublesome if it gets handled.”

It was an attitude spoken with hands clasped behind his back, as if treating a museum exhibit.

Feeling displeased that the item my apostle used had become a mere spectacle for the eyes, the corners of my eyes naturally twitched.

“Why are you displaying an item that is not even for sale here?”

My voice inadvertently had a sharp edge to it. I saw Kwon Jeong-han, who was silently watching, open his eyes wide in surprise, but I ignored him.

“Looking at it, it does not seem to be a new item either. The owner of this market must be quite unique to use a secondhand item without even a mana circuit as interior decor.”

At my words, the elderly man pushed up the glasses he was wearing and stared at me intently. I did not avoid it and met his gaze head-on.

The elderly man who had been staring at me intently soon withdrew his gaze and smiled softly.

“Impressive. To recognize right away that there is no mana circuit on that spear.”

Normally, an Awakener would easily be fooled by the flashy barriers and lighting effects to mistake it for a great magic weapon, but it was an exclamation at penetrating the essence without being deceived by exterior decorations.

“Because I have pretty good eyes.”

In truth, there was no need to scan it in detail by channeling mana into Hawk Eye.