Chapter 26: The Cursed Blade
Brook and his companions had finally reached the summit of the mountain, stepping into the ancient stone altar nestled at its peak.
A massive stone chest rested atop a pedestal, its surface seamless, without so much as a crack.
Brook braced himself and pushed against the chest with all his strength, but it didn't budge an inch. He coughed awkwardly as Silva and Shakki tactfully pretended not to notice his failed attempt.
With a sharp humph, Brook drew his cane sword and unleashed a razor-sharp slash. The blade struck the chest's lid, slicing through it cleanly before losing momentum against something solid inside.
A strange green light seeped from the cut, and as the eerie glow intensified, the seal upon the chest seemed to break. Its once-dark stone surface faded to an ashen gray, and with a swift kick, Brook sent the lid flying off.
Inside lay a long, ominous green sword. Strange patterns adorned its blade, and seven glowing spots formed a shape resembling the Big Dipper.
Unlike the single-edged katanas commonly referred to as swords in this world, this was a double-edged blade—a traditional straight sword, much more to Brook's refined taste.
The sinister green glow pulsed hypnotically, drawing both Silva and Shakki forward as if entranced.
"Hmph."
Brook snorted and released a surge of his chilling Yomi Yomi no Mi aura. The bone-chilling cold snapped Silva and Shakki out of their trance, both recoiling in shock.
"Captain Brook, this sword... it's truly cursed. I could feel it pulling me in."