Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 129

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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 129

 

Episode 129. Auction Preparations (3)

 

* * *

 

Going back about half a day earlier.

 

Clatter, clank—!

 

Through the carriage window, the vast wasteland of the Silk Road stretched out.

 

Beyond the horizon, the sun was slowly setting.

 

As the sunset painted the world in crimson hues, the occasional merchant caravan passing by kicked up clouds of dust.

 

‘Just a few hours ago, I couldn’t see any other carriages at all…’

 

The number of people was gradually increasing.

 

That fact meant only one thing.

 

‘…I suppose it’s about time we arrive at Dawnguard.’

 

Swoosh—.

 

I leaned back against the seat.

 

As befitting a carriage made by Middle Temple, the ride quality was superb.

 

The seats were finished with premium leather, and the wheels were reinforced with special magical devices, so barely any impact could be felt.

 

“Lord Gaon.”

 

At that moment, Adelia, who was sitting across from me, carefully spoke up.

 

Shing—.

 

She slightly lifted the Meteor Sword to show it.

 

A single starlight was faintly twinkling above the jet-black blade.

 

“It’s nothing major, but I’ve realized something while using the Meteor Sword.”

 

“Tell me.”

 

“I think I need to change my swordsmanship.”

 

Adelia continued while looking down at the Meteor Sword.

 

“Up until now, my swordsmanship has been… just relying on instinct. There was no particular set form.”

 

Right.

 

Adelia was a genius.

 

Instinct over technique. Intuition over structure. She always broke through situations with judgment close to pure instinct.

 

This was evident just from her recent battle with Jark von Haibrunn.

 

Her quick thinking in utilizing Tristan’s cloak. Her impromptu actions that got her out of crisis through momentary wit.

 

Swordsmanship that relied on innate talent and instantaneous inspiration rather than standardized techniques or systematic training.

 

Such free-spirited nature was her strength, but also her limitation.

 

“But ‘this friend’… shouldn’t be used that way.”

 

Swoosh—.

 

Adelia stroked the Meteor Sword.

 

Had she formed a deep bond with the Meteor Sword over the past few days?

 

Her touch was as gentle and careful as if she were touching a small child.

 

“Then, how do you plan to change your swordsmanship?”

 

Adelia answered without a moment’s hesitation.

 

“I plan to pursue swordsmanship focused on defense to an extreme degree.”

 

Adelia’s eyes became serious.

 

“I realized this during my sparring with the Tyrant Dragon.”

 

“…”

 

“At first, I fought as usual. I tried to decide the match by relying on instinct. But whenever I did that, the Meteor Sword wouldn’t respond properly.”

 

“…”

 

“But when I focused on blocking the Tyrant Dragon’s attacks, I gained composure. When I completely abandoned thoughts of attacking and only thought about defense, the situation I was in began to become much clearer.”

 

Adelia paused for a moment and made a meaningful expression. It was as if she was recalling the situation from that time.

 

“And then I tried using 【Reflecting Surface】. I observed him from my perspective while looking at myself from the Tyrant Dragon’s viewpoint. Then something amazing happened.”

 

“What happened?”

 

“The opponent’s intentions became crystal clear. Where he was aiming, what attack he would make next, even what he was thinking.”

 

By focusing only on defense, she gained mental composure.

 

And by grasping the opponent’s perspective through Reflecting Surface, analysis became much easier.

 

“Each time I gained such enlightenment, new swords appeared behind me.”

 

“…”

 

Nod—.

 

I silently nodded my head.

 

The Meteor Sword was a divine weapon where time was the weapon.

 

The longer the battle continued, and the more Adelia’s enlightenment increased… the number of phantom swords would increase.

 

One might be able to block two or three swords, but what about ten? What about twenty? How many swordsmen could possibly block dozens or hundreds of sword blades flying simultaneously from all directions?

 

Eventually, the moment would come when quantity overwhelms quality.

 

Adelia, who had continued sparring with the Tyrant Dragon non-stop for the past few days, seemed to have reached the same conclusion.

 

“As time passes, the advantage becomes mine.”

 

“…”

 

“So there’s no need to rush the battle. I just need to focus on defense and then pour everything out at the end.”

 

I was inwardly amazed.

 

‘Excellent.’

 

To grasp the essence of the Meteor Sword this accurately in just a few days.

 

To demonstrate such outstanding intuition even during the transition from instinctive swordsmanship to systematic swordsmanship.

 

Having finished that thought, I encouraged Adelia.

 

“That’s a wise judgment.”

 

“…!”

 

Adelia’s face brightened at my praise. That was brief, as she slightly lowered her head and continued speaking.

 

“I still have a long way to go. Defensive swordsmanship can’t be perfected overnight, and considerable training will be needed to freely handle the phantom swords.”

 

“…”

 

“Right now, I can only handle about two or three phantom swords at most.”

 

Chuckle—.

 

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter upon hearing that.

 

What?

 

Only two or three at most?

 

“You’re evaluating yourself too lowly.”

 

It hadn’t even been a full week since she acquired the Meteor Sword.

 

Yet she already knew how to handle two or three phantom swords—Adelia herself seemed completely unaware of how amazing that was.

 

In the original story, it took Adelia over a month just to properly handle a single phantom sword.

 

Considering that, the current speed was truly exceptional.

 

‘This iteration’s Adelia is definitely different.’

 

The experience accumulated from being with me.

 

And even 【Reflecting Surface】 acquired at an early stage.

 

All of this was combining to make Adelia’s growth rate exponentially faster.

 

“Don’t be impatient. You have sufficient talent.”

 

I spoke as if to reassure Adelia.

 

“If you just maintain this current pace, you’ll surely be able to reach the ranks of Sword Masters someday.”

 

“…!”

 

Instantly, Adelia’s eyes widened.

 

Sword Master. The ultimate realm that all swordsmen dream of.

 

Just having that possibility acknowledged filled her with tremendous emotion.

 

“I will do my best, Lord Gaon.”

 

It was right at that moment.

 

[Pyororok!]

 

A cute crying sound echoed inside the carriage, and a transparent jelly emerged from Adelia’s embrace.

 

Haewolsumo had already grown to the size of a fist.

 

“Ah, you’re awake.”

 

Adelia carefully placed Haewolsumo on her palm.

 

The jelly blinked its eyes and looked around.

 

Below its body, there were tentacles that hadn’t been there before.

 

Rather than tentacles, they were more like cute little suction cups, but anyway.

 

“I heard that the divine beast caused quite an uproar in Middle Temple’s council.”

 

“Ah, that was…”

 

At my words, Adelia stammered and smiled awkwardly.

 

“But somehow it all worked out well. Rather, when it became known that I had received the divine beast’s recognition, it seems House Goldhart’s prestige increased even more.”

 

That’s right.

 

Divine beasts were beings akin to representatives of the Elders.

 

Receiving the love of such creatures was tantamount to receiving the Elders’ love.

 

In other words, the very fact that Haewolsumo had directly chosen Adelia would have been an incomparable honor for the Goldhart family.

 

“I’m glad I could help the family in this way.”

 

Adelia continued speaking while carefully stroking Haewolsumo.

 

“I’ve only been a burden until now, but everything is working out well. And…”

 

Swoosh—.

 

Adelia’s gaze turned toward me.

 

Her blue eyes contained clear and firm emotions.

 

“All of this is thanks to you, Lord Gaon.”

 

“…”

 

“That day, choosing to follow you in the back alleys of Dungarrd was the best decision of my life.”

 

Adelia’s voice was full of conviction. Her sincere emotions made my heart feel warm without me realizing it.

 

‘It’s like… raising a daughter.’

 

I felt strangely proud.

 

Is this why Strawberry Latte loved raising newbies so much?

 

I answered briefly with a smile.

 

“I too will strive to ensure that choice remains right until the end.”

 

“…Yes!”

 

Clatter, clatter—.

 

Just then, the carriage began to slowly reduce its speed.

 

Beyond the horizon, the silhouette of a city shrouded in darkness revealed itself.

 

High-rising walls and buildings that towered above them. A city where ominous energy seeped through the thick clouds covering the sky.

 

Dungarrd, the Dark City.

 

The place where I first met Adelia, and where everything began.

 

‘We’ve finally arrived.’

 

Now, it was time to realize my grand plans one by one in this place.

 

* * *

 

The streets of Dungarrd were unchanged. A gloomy, dirty, and dangerous city.

 

‘Let’s take care of food first.’

 

I was hungry from the long journey in the carriage. Besides, there was still plenty of time before the auction, and it was too early to make contact with other factions.

 

The destination was already decided.

 

‘The cooking tavern that was famous even in the game.’

 

According to the setting, it was a place renowned for its excellent cooking skills, which didn’t suit the lawless zone of Dungarrd.

 

When I first landed here, I was too frantic to even think of stopping by… but this time I had quite a bit of leisure.

 

Thump—.

 

I felt a strange excitement.

 

‘…Come to think of it, is this the first time?’

 

Until now, I had always moved for survival.

 

I had only acted desperately to survive, to become stronger, and for the plans I had set up.

 

But this time was different.

 

I was looking for a restaurant purely for enjoyment.

 

‘If you only live in constant tension, you’re bound to collapse eventually.’

 

Sometimes, moments of rest like this were necessary.

 

Enjoying the small pleasures throughout the Roel continent wouldn’t be bad either.

 

“Lord Gaon, where are you planning to go?”

 

“Let’s take care of food first. Aren’t you hungry?”

 

After turning several corners with Adelia, we arrived at a tavern with a sign reading “The Black Rooster.”

 

Creeeeak—.

 

As we opened the door and entered, the smell of alcohol mixed with the savory aroma of cooking wafted in. Dim lighting, seats divided by partitions, and the sound of suspicious customers whispering quietly.

 

We chose the most secluded seat.

 

“Welcome. What would you like to order?”

 

Thud—.

 

The innkeeper placed down a menu with a gruff voice.

 

Adelia quietly looked at the menu. The next moment, her eyes began to sparkle more than usual.

 

‘Ah, right.’

 

She was a big eater.

 

Normally, Adelia wouldn’t show her emotions, but now was different. It was clear she was trying to suppress the slight upturn of her lips.

 

I chuckled at the sight of Adelia like this.

 

“From here to here, bring out one of every menu item.”

 

“…?”

 

The innkeeper looked at me with a bewildered expression.

 

“That’s quite a lot for two people to eat…”

 

Thud—.

 

I took out a gold coin from my pocket and placed it on the table.

 

A fortune worth ten million shillings.

 

The innkeeper’s expression hardened instantly. He hastily collected the gold coin, afraid someone might see, and immediately turned toward the kitchen.

 

“I’ll prepare it right away.”

 

After placing the order, I looked around. Most customers were quietly eating while having hushed conversations.

 

But then…

 

“Kahahaha!”

 

…Right at that moment, a loud voice suddenly came from the middle of the tavern.

 

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

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

No.

 

What’s with that guy now?

 

At that moment, Adelia’s eyes turned cold. Her hand was already on her sword hilt.

 

“There’s no need for that.”

 

Tap—.

 

I quietly stopped Adelia.

 

I didn’t want to cause unnecessary commotion. I wasn’t particularly angry about someone impersonating me either.

 

‘No, and thinking about it…’

 

…It wasn’t even me who killed Tolong, but the Tyrant Dragon, right?

 

“Tsk, isn’t this just pathetic?”

 

“…?”

 

That was the exact moment.

 

When someone smoothly approached and whispered in my ear.

 

Startled—.

 

Adelia was momentarily shocked.

 

Her eyes clearly showed signs of confusion. It meant that even she, with her exceptional senses, hadn’t noticed the stranger’s approach at all.

 

I was the same. A chill ran down my spine.

 

‘This is….’

 

Of course, if this had been a deadly attack, Auto Parrying would have automatically blocked it, but I couldn’t help feeling my heart sink.

 

Because….

 

“Look at him brazenly boasting about something that’s not even his own business, chattering as if he did what others accomplished, and building his pride on that. How shameless.”

 

…I knew this bastard’s identity. And also how dangerous he was.

 

“What do you think?”

 

Hiss—.

 

On the face revealed beneath the robe, a strange smile mixed with anxiety and excitement had appeared.

 

“Sword Master, Gaon.”

 

“….”

 

“….”

 

The moment my name flowed from the man’s lips, a familiar notification sound rang in my ears.

 

Ding—!

 

〔Part of the hidden message is revealed.〕

 

…

 

〔Causality is being twisted.〕

 

〔The encounter with Puppet Master Batu is being moved up.〕

 

Of all things, the most troublesome one among the Five Nightmares had appeared.

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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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