Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 128

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

One-Strike Kill Swordmaster Episode 128

 

Episode 128. Auction Preparations (2)

 

* * *

 

Wintershield Magic Academy.

 

This place, which had once fallen into great chaos due to the Adversary incident, had regained stability at a surprisingly rapid pace under the coordination of the newly appointed Chancellor Violf and Selena.

 

Perhaps it was thanks to the Shadow Conclave’s existence being brought to the surface, making official cooperation possible?

 

The Magic Academy began showing remarkable results in both academic and practical research.

 

And….

 

“Ugh, uuuugh.”

 

…at the center of this revival, there was a hidden protagonist.

 

“Taragon.”

 

“…!”

 

Chancellor Violf called out to someone in a gentle voice.

 

Thud-!

 

Then a man who had been buried in a pile of documents and groaning suddenly startled and jerked his head up.

 

“Yes, yes! Did you call for me, Chancellor…!”

 

A young man with pink curly hair.

 

Taragon.

 

He was the sole slave survivor of the Adversary incident, and had been selected to skip undergraduate studies and go straight to being both a graduate student and teaching assistant.

 

Initially, there was strong opposition to Taragon’s special recruitment.

 

The existing teaching assistants didn’t look kindly upon him either, and blatant hazing continued.

 

─Damn, what kind of talent does he have to enter graduate school without even going through undergraduate?

 

─That’s what I’m saying. This is an academic institution, not a protection facility….

 

However….

 

─What, what’s this?

 

─He already finished organizing all of this?

 

…Taragon silenced all the noise with his abilities.

 

Rather, thanks to handling administrative work flawlessly, he gained recognition in a short time and quickly established himself as Chancellor Violf’s right-hand man.

 

Violf looked at such a Taragon and thought to himself.

 

‘Of course, there was The Protagonist’s request to take good care of Taragon….’

 

Even without such a request, he would have made good use of this young man.

 

Taragon was that outstanding a talent.

 

From his dignified speech and behavior that was hard to believe came from a former slave, to his insight that could grasp complex administrative work at a glance.

 

‘He has the seasoned expertise as if he’s already been a graduate student for several years.’

 

Watching him systematically organize various documents and efficiently coordinate work between different departments was truly amazing.

 

‘Most of all….’

 

What was most surprising was Taragon’s magical talent.

 

From the moment he met him in the special ward, Violf had intuited it. This young man possessed exceptional qualities.

 

Considering his background, he couldn’t have received systematic magical education, yet the mana control and understanding of magical formulas that Taragon displayed were at a considerable level.

 

‘He hasn’t had time to delve deeply into magical research yet since he’s been focused solely on academic administration….’

 

Even so, Taragon’s growth rate was remarkably fast.

 

When passing by the research lab late at night, he could often see faint light seeping out. It was Taragon staying behind alone to self-study.

 

Starting from reading basic theory books, these days he was learning even intermediate-level magic on his own.

 

‘What exactly is this guy?’

 

His sense and understanding of magic, and his endless desire to learn.

 

On top of that, being under the protection of Swordmaster Gaon.

 

Considering all of this… Taragon definitely had extraordinary aspects that couldn’t be dismissed simply as being of slave origin.

 

“Ch, Chancellor…?”

 

Pause-.

 

It was when Violf was continuing such thoughts.

 

Taragon spoke up again in a cautious voice.

 

In his hands were documents with ink that hadn’t dried yet, and on one cheek was a faint mark as if he had fallen asleep and been pressed against something.

 

Confirming this, Violf smiled and said.

 

“You’ve worked hard.”

 

“No. This much is….”

 

“I’ve reviewed all the materials you organized overnight. Your insight is truly remarkable as always. You possess wonderful talent as both a mage and a scholar.”

 

“…You’re too kind.”

 

“Especially the revisions to the Celestial Dragon analysis report were masterful. From calculating the brain core’s mana conductivity to estimating the resistance values of the scales.”

 

“….”

 

“It’s truly amazing. How can you be so accurate without even seeing it in person?”

 

“….”

 

Hearing those words, Taragon, no… Strawberry Latte thought to himself.

 

‘Well, that’s because I’ve encountered it dozens of times while playing the game.’

 

The lightning mage build using Celestial Dragon brain cores was Strawberry Latte’s favorite playstyle.

 

As a result, he could recite that analysis even in his sleep.

 

Of course, he couldn’t just blurt out such facts.

 

Because….

 

─Ah, you see! Actually, I’m a gamer from another dimension! The Celestial Dragon is a boss monster I’ve killed hundreds of times, so I know it well! Uhahahaha!

 

…the moment he said something like that, he’d obviously be dragged straight to a mental hospital.

 

“Ha, hahaha….”

 

So Strawberry Latte answered with an awkward smile.

 

“I just made inferences by combining the materials.”

 

“No, it’s too accurate to be just inference.”

 

Violf shook his head.

 

As Gaon had guaranteed, the cooperative relationship between Middle Temple and Wintershield had been further strengthened.

 

Various materials researched by the Investigation Team began being delivered to the Magic Academy, and the vast information immediately fell into the hands of the research staff.

 

Especially the analysis data related to the Celestial Dragon was like a treasure trove.

 

‘But the one who organized all that material for practical use….’

 

Swish-.

 

Violf’s gaze naturally turned to Taragon.

 

Systematically categorizing investigation reports spanning hundreds of pages, extracting only the core information from within and presenting specific research directions.

 

Based on Middle Temple’s data, calculating the characteristics and potential applications of each part of the Celestial Dragon, and even calculating the expected value in the auction market.

 

Taragon’s contribution was absolute in every process.

 

“Anyway, thanks to that, I was able to make an important decision.”

 

“A decision, you say…?”

 

“We’ve decided to directly participate in the Dawnguard auction as well.”

 

Strawberry Latte’s eyes widened.

 

“The Celestial Dragon’s corpse… especially the brain core is an opportunity we absolutely cannot miss for our research. Thanks to your analysis, we were able to accurately grasp its value.”

 

“…I see.”

 

“And.”

 

Violf continued with a serious expression.

 

“You’ll be joining this expedition as well.”

 

“…?”

 

“You’re the person who understands the Celestial Dragon most deeply. We need an expert who can directly observe and analyze on site.”

 

“Ah….”

 

Strawberry Latte let out a short sigh, wearing a dazed expression as if he had never dreamed he would be included in the expedition team.

 

Of course, this was all an act.

 

In fact, he had already foreseen this entire situation.

 

‘…Just as Gaon hyung said.’

 

After the Adversary incident was resolved, Strawberry Latte had heard the future plans from Gaon.

 

That he would be called to the ruined city through Chancellor Violf, that he would play a key role in Celestial Dragon research—it was all part of the predetermined plan.

 

‘My inclusion in the expedition team is partly due to showing some results in research, but….’

 

The decisive factor was surely Gaon’s instructions.

 

As confirmed through the personal note he received a few days ago, Gaon had directly sent a messenger bird to Violf.

 

‘Well, my job is already decided anyway.’

 

Having finished that thought, Strawberry Latte nodded.

 

“It would be an honor.”

 

“Good. Then prepare to depart at dawn in two days.”

 

* * *

 

Two days later, at dawn.

 

On a hill in the Uncharted Wilderness, a short distance from Wintershield, the Magic City, four figures stood.

 

An expedition team consisting of 2 professors and 2 assistant professors: Selena, Violf, Isaac Beriloff, and Taragon.

 

During their absence, the Magic Academy’s administration would be temporarily managed by former Chancellor Tordham and members of the Shadow Conclave.

 

Whoosh—!

 

The chilly dawn air swept across the hill. The spires of Wintershield Magic Academy were faintly visible in the distance, and a red dawn was slowly rising beyond the horizon.

 

“Soon the transportation prepared by Lord Gaon should reveal itself.”

 

Selena muttered while checking her watch.

 

There wasn’t much time left until the hour Gaon had promised through the messenger bird. Since he said he would personally send transportation, there must be something special about it.

 

“But you know.”

 

Isaac Beriloff cautiously expressed his anxiety.

 

“Won’t the time be a bit tight until we reach Dawnguard? Especially with rumors going around lately that the Uncharted Wilderness is dangerous and the barriers are unstable….”

 

“You worry too much, Berillov.”

 

Selena interrupted Isaac’s words with a calm voice, and Violf, who was beside her, nodded and chimed in.

 

“Right. Don’t doubt Lord Gaon. If he promised it, then surely….”

 

“Wilson! Not that way!”

 

“…?”

 

That’s when it happened.

 

An old man’s shout came from somewhere.

 

Swish—.

 

The group turned their heads simultaneously.

 

A ridiculous chase was unfolding below the hill.

 

A donkey pulling an old cart was running around as it pleased, while a bent-backed old man was chasing after it, panting heavily.

 

“Oh my, you stubborn fool! That’s not the destination!”

 

The old man shouted at the donkey, but the donkey paid no attention and continued heading up the hill.

 

“Wilson! Please just…!”

 

But after a moment, the old man looked up at the hill and suddenly stopped.

 

“Huh, what? What’s this… that way is correct?”

 

The old man muttered with a confused expression.

 

Indeed, the donkey was heading exactly toward the hill where the group was located.

 

“Wait! I’ll be up there soon too…!”

 

Huff huff—.

 

The appearance of the old man who arrived panting was truly a sight to behold.

 

Shabby clothing beyond description. His wrinkled face was covered with an unkempt, bushy beard.

 

Overall, it was a completely unreliable first impression.

 

“Haaah, huff… Uh, Lord Gaon sent me….”

 

“….”

 

“….”

 

“….”

 

Violf, Selena, and Isaac Beriloff all wore bewildered expressions.

 

Their faces showed they couldn’t understand what kind of situation this was.

 

The transportation that Lord Gaon was supposed to send was just this shabby old man, a worn-out cart, and that stupid-looking donkey?

 

“….”

 

But among them, the most shocked person was none other than Strawberry Latte.

 

‘Wow, crazy.’

 

On the outside, he wore the same incredulous expression as the others, but Strawberry Latte’s inner thoughts were completely different.

 

‘You didn’t tell me the transportation would be Dano, hyung.’

 

How did he manage to cajole that crazy NPC into coming all the way here?

 

Really, he was dying of curiosity.

 

‘…What has this person been doing for the past month?’

 

* * *

 

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding—!

 

┏(ºдº)┛

 

☑

 

┏(ºдº)┛

 

☑

 

┏(ºдº)┛

 

☑

 

┏(ºдº)┛

 

The familiar notification sound.

 

At the same time, the message window was flooded with Strawberry Latte’s empathy emoticons.

 

Expressions roughly meaning bewilderment.

 

Seeing this, I burst into laughter and closed the message window.

 

‘Looks like Dano arrived on time.’

 

I could picture Strawberry Latte’s expression clearly. He must be incredibly flustered. With his mouth hanging wide open.

 

‘Speaking of which….’

 

Swish—.

 

I raised my head and looked around.

 

This was a tavern in Dungarrd, the Dark City.

 

With only a few dim lights barely illuminating the darkness, suspicious figures sat in partitioned seats whispering about something.

 

Adelia and I were sitting in a corner of such a tavern.

 

And….

 

“You bastard, I! I am the ‘Dragon Slayer’ of Labyrinth Village!”

 

…Some drunkard was causing a scene in the middle of the restaurant.

 

‘Hmm.’

 

What’s with that guy?

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————