Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 123
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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One-Strike Kill Swordmaster Episode 123
Episode 123. Forge of the Single Flame (4)
Swoosh-.
At the Guardian’s words, everyone’s gaze turned toward me.
Arwen and Adelia, and even Heukgol and Tyrant Dragon. Everyone held their breath and waited for my answer.
The party seemed to belatedly realize one fact.
They thought only Adelia would challenge the trial… but I, too, had never once challenged the Forge of the Single Flame.
[Of course I know. You already carry a divine artifact within your possession.]
“….”
[The Feather Sword. Truly a troublesome child to handle.]
“….”
[Perhaps it might be the weapon that suits you best right now.]
Flinch-.
Tyrant Dragon and Heukgol were both surprised at the same time.
Their gazes focused on the sword hanging at my waist.
“What? The Feather Sword? Then that thing is the legendary….”
“Wait, there was actually someone who used that weird sword?”
As I’ve said many times, the Feather Sword was a weapon that had been shunned by many swordsmen.
The inability to utilize the sword’s weight at all acted as a fatal weakness.
Even basic techniques like weighted downward strikes or rotational cuts using centrifugal force couldn’t be performed.
Of course….
‘…For me, it’s more like a beneficial penalty.’
For someone like me who doesn’t rely on a sword’s weight, the Feather Sword’s characteristics fit perfectly.
Above all, I was the only one who knew this divine artifact’s ‘true value.’
[However, it doesn’t matter if you already possess a divine artifact. The Sanctuary of Flames doesn’t concern itself with such conditions.]
“….”
[If one truly desires training, anyone can stand in this place.]
The Guardian gazed at me intently as he asked his question.
[So I ask again. Will you challenge this trial?]
To his question, I answered without a moment’s hesitation.
“I have no intention of refusing this opportunity.”
Chuckle-.
Hearing those words, the Guardian let out a low laugh.
[A good answer. Only those who seize opportunities can reach higher places.]
Rumble-!
The heat of the forge grew even more intense.
I walked down toward the Circular Arena, and Adelia, who had been inside, hurriedly came out.
“Um, excuse me but….”
At that moment, Adelia stopped mid-step and cautiously raised her hand.
“Then if The Protagonist passes the trial, there will be two swords…?”
“….”
[….]
How should I put it.
It was such a typical Adelia question. To be curious about such things in this situation.
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.
Hearing her words, Tyrant Dragon and Heukgol also chimed in one after another.
“Dual swordsmanship, huh. Watching that guy wield two swords would be quite a sight.”
“Tch, while someone like me is dying of frustration without even one divine artifact….”
But the Guardian lightly laughed and dismissed their speculation.
[No, divine artifacts don’t necessarily have to take the form of weapons.]
“….”
[They could become armor, or accessories. Or they could become completely new forms of equipment that have never existed before.]
The Guardian continued.
[Those who pass the trial receive what they need most in the form of a divine artifact. That is the reason the Forge of the Single Flame exists.]
Good.
That was exactly the answer I wanted to hear.
Since I already possessed the Feather Sword, another weapon was unnecessary.
And above all….
‘…The divine artifact I want is already decided.’
The auction in Dungarrd, the Dark City, the Ruins of Rashutku, and Jaque’s trial, and so on.
The countless events that would unfold ahead.
What I needed to overcome all of that wasn’t another weapon.
So what I had to do now was unfold a ‘challenge’ that suited that purpose.
[Now then, choose the opponent you will face.]
It was when I entered the Circular Arena.
Along with the Guardian’s declaration, countless silhouettes appeared before my eyes.
Whoosh-.
The exact same situation I had encountered in the game.
Translucent figures appeared in a line in the air.
They were the forms of challengers who had passed trials throughout history.
They were all familiar faces.
Major characters who would appear in the latter half. And even Sword Masters I would meet soon.
Grin-.
Confirming this, a faint smile crossed my lips.
‘Even this moment of choosing an opponent….’
…had plenty of room for utilization.
* * *
Whoosh-.
Gaon, standing in the center of the arena, slowly closed his eyes.
He looked as if he was lost in deep contemplation.
“Hmm….”
At that moment, Heukgol crossed his arms and muttered.
“…Why is he pondering like that? If he’s confident in his skills, he should just pick the strongest opponent and be done with it, right?”
Snort-.
Hearing those words, Tyrant Dragon scoffed.
“That’s why you failed the trial, you idiot.”
“…What?”
“Most of those who challenge the Forge of the Single Flame have reached the pinnacle. At that level, ‘absolute strength’ doesn’t exist.”
“….”
“It’s a matter of compatibility. An existence that’s troublesome when I face them might be easy prey for someone else.”
Right.
While relative advantages might exist, there was no strongest fighter by absolute standards.
Then….
Who would Gaon choose as his opponent from among the past challengers?
‘…It would be interesting if he just picked me.’
It was the moment Tyrant Dragon smiled while thinking such thoughts.
Swoosh-.
Right at that moment, Gaon slowly opened his eyes and spoke.
“I’ll choose the same opponent as Adelia.”
“…Tsk.”
The Tyrant Dragon clicked his tongue as if uninterested.
Pean again.
It was disappointing. He thought Gaon would make a more special choice.
But…
“…?”
Time passed, but nothing happened.
“What?”
It wasn’t only the Tyrant Dragon who felt something was strange.
Heukgol, Arwen, and Adelia looked up at the Guardian with confused expressions.
Earlier, Pean’s avatar had been manifested immediately after choosing an opponent, so why was Gaon’s case different?
[…]
At that moment, everyone in the group could witness it.
Uncharacteristic of a being who had watched over eons of time, a troubled expression appeared on the Guardian’s face.
[Thirteenth Sword Master Gaon.]
Breaking the heavy silence, the Guardian spoke.
[Adelia’s selection criterion was ‘the opponent she could learn the most from when facing them.’]
“…”
[But…]
The Guardian trailed off for a moment. It seemed like he was pondering how to explain this situation.
[Among all the past challengers, there is not a single being who could provide you with learning.]
“…?”
“…?”
Freeze-.
At that shocking declaration, the expressions of those watching from outside the arena all stiffened in unison.
But Gaon nodded with a calm expression. As if he had expected all of this.
“Then.”
He spoke.
“I’ll choose the most troublesome opponent to face.”
[…]
The Guardian’s silence grew even longer.
And finally, the answer he gave was…
[Even that does not exist.]
“…”
“…”
“…”
The entire forge was enveloped in silence.
Heukgol’s jawbone dropped open. The Tyrant Dragon showed a flustered expression, and Arwen and Adelia also lost their words, staring blankly at Gaon.
Among all past challengers, there was no one who could teach Gaon, and not even a troublesome opponent?
That meant…
‘…Doesn’t that mean Gaon is overwhelmingly stronger than anyone else?’
* * *
Murmur murmur-.
Watching the reactions outside the arena, I smiled with satisfaction inwardly.
Shocked expressions. Faces frozen in astonishment.
It was exactly the reaction I had wanted.
In truth, there was no troublesome or difficult existence for me.
The concept of compatibility itself was meaningless from the start. After all, no matter who came, everything would end with one strike of the Soul of the Sword Master.
But others had no way of knowing that fact.
To those who didn’t know the true nature of my power, this situation would only appear as proof that I was the strongest challenger in history.
‘This kind of buildup is essential.’
Being recognized as a strong person by key figures. Not being looked down upon.
That would be the key to smoothly handling future matters.
‘Anyway.’
Having finished that thought, I calmly declared.
“Then I’ll choose the Tyrant Dragon.”
Kahahat-!
As soon as that declaration ended, the Tyrant Dragon’s hearty laughter could be heard from far away.
He seemed so pleased that I had chosen him.
‘…I wonder if he’ll still be able to laugh like that after my trial ends.’
I smiled faintly while thinking that.
Rumble rumble-!
Just like with Adelia, molten metal flowed out from the arena floor.
But this time the amount was overwhelmingly greater.
The sight of the avatar being completed with each scale carved onto the massive muscular frame was spectacular.
Soon after, the hybrid human-dragon with a belligerent smile glared at me with beast-like eyes.
Shing-!
The Tyrant Dragon’s avatar drew his weapon. It was a massive greatsword very similar in form to Pokryeomdo.
I looked at that sight and fell into thought.
‘…The condition for passing the trial is simple.’
Just conduct a battle that pleases The Owner of the Forge and the Flame.
But since those standards were so varied, no one could clearly define the conditions.
‘The key is the fighting style.’
The Owner of the Forge and the Flame must clearly understand the challenger’s combat method.
Only then can they create a divine weapon suited to those characteristics.
A style like the Tyrant Dragon’s that pushes forward with overwhelming firepower.
A style like Pean’s that employs thoroughly calculated swordsmanship.
Or even a style like Adelia’s that fights while constantly growing.
One had to show perfect combat without a single gap, befitting the direction they pursued.
‘That’s exactly why Heukgol failed.’
At the time of his challenge, that fellow wasn’t yet a Death Knight.
A situation where fear of death still remained.
Therefore, he had no choice but to adopt survival-type swordsmanship that changed according to circumstances… in other words, a combat method without clear characteristics.
And with such an ambiguous style, he couldn’t pass the trial.
‘Then…’
What style could I show right now?
Overwhelming sword talent, intuitive responsiveness and insight that pierces through opponents’ weaknesses, and so on. I had countless weapons.
But among them…
‘The most certain thing.’
The essence of my swordsmanship. The core that remains after stripping away all the flashiness.
Swoosh-.
I slowly placed my hand on the handle of the Feather Sword.
‘One-strike kill.’
Ending everything with a single sword strike.
That was my essence, and at the same time, the style that The Owner of the Forge and the Flame could most clearly recognize.
Kuuuuung-!
The heat of the arena grew even more intense.
The Tyrant Dragon’s avatar began to slowly move its feet.
But I didn’t move.
I simply stood there.
‘Once is enough.’
No matter who the opponent is. No matter what technique they use. No matter how strong they are.
All I needed was a single opportunity.
That was the path I had walked until now, and the path I would continue to walk.
〔The Hall of Ten Thousand Gods is amazed by your unprecedented talent! The forgotten Harmonizers bless your path ahead!〕
The message The Elders had sent before I fell into this world.
They had already acknowledged me.
They marveled at my talent and blessed my path ahead.
The salvation of the world.
That was the entirety of why I was brought here, and the reason they bestowed their authority upon me.
If that’s the case…
‘There’s no room for doubt.’
A battle that ends with a single sword strike.
That would be the most perfect ‘proof’ that The Owner of the Forge and the Flame could admire in its purest form.
The crystallization of overwhelming talent.
The essence that remains after stripping away all technique and splendor.
〔MP : 1/1〕
So this time too.
They will see my sword and tremble.
〔MP : 0/1〕
* * *
Ttiring-!
〔Hidden Message: ‘The Owner of the Forge and the Flame’ has witnessed your strike.〕
〔Hidden Message: ‘The Owner of the Forge and the Flame’ is deeply impressed by your strike.〕
〔Hidden Message: Voting in the Hall of Ten Thousand Gods has begun@̵̜͔̬̻̤̑̂́ͅͅ#̵̺̮̜̩͈͕̃̋̏͝!̵̜̻̯͔̀̽̚͝#̸̘͉̺͊̋̑̌….〕
…
〔Hidden Message: The reward has been further enhanced.〕
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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