Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 137

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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 137

 

Episode 137. Auction Preparations (11)

 

In truth, it was complete nonsense.

 

He had lived through the era when ancient language was commonly used?

 

According to the game’s setting, even conservatively estimating, it would require going back at least 500 years… no, perhaps even over 1,000 years for that to make sense.

 

In contrast, Gaon’s appearance was at most mid-twenties, even being generous.

 

His face still radiated youthful charm.

 

‘But…’

 

Swoosh-.

 

Strawberry Latte’s gaze swept across the room.

 

Adelia, Isaac Beriloff, Selena Servich, and even Professor Biyolf.

 

Everyone was looking at Gaon with extremely serious expressions.

 

Strawberry Latte couldn’t help but be even more bewildered by how they didn’t show a hint of doubt despite hearing such absurd claims.

 

“…”

 

Even the professors from the Magic Academy believed such nonsense so firmly.

 

‘…What kind of buildup did you establish before I possessed this body, brother?’

 

It was truly an astounding situation.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

Meanwhile.

 

At this point, even the Koshate siblings, who had initially laughed off Gaon’s words, began to stiffen their expressions.

 

The situation was becoming ambiguous about whether this was real or a lie.

 

Natalia pressed her lips together and stared intently at Gaon, while Markus frowned and pondered something deeply.

 

Just then, Gaon broke the silence by speaking.

 

“It seems they’re still half-believing, so how about coming into the room and lending weight to my words?”

 

“…?”

 

“…?”

 

Pause-.

 

People’s faces filled with question marks.

 

Because Gaon was speaking toward empty air… no, more precisely, toward outside the door.

 

“There’s no need to troublesomely eavesdrop from outside, is there? Since you’ve been listening to our conversation from the beginning anyway.”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

Everyone, including Strawberry Latte, looked puzzled.

 

Who exactly was he talking to? Was there really someone outside the door?

 

Even if someone was truly hiding and eavesdropping, with the silence barrier deployed, the conversation shouldn’t be audible, right?

 

‘Wait a minute.’

 

Gasp-.

 

At that moment, Strawberry Latte’s eyes widened as she realized something.

 

Candidates who could penetrate the silence barrier and eavesdrop on others’ conversations flashed through her mind.

 

Among them, the person who could appear at this moment, at this time was…

 

“…!”

 

Knock knock-.

 

Just then, the sound of knocking echoed from outside the door.

 

Everyone who had been skeptical was startled and turned their heads in unison.

 

Not only Adelia and the Koshate siblings, but even the entire Wintershield expedition showed wariness toward the uninvited guest’s appearance.

 

And for good reason, since no one had sensed any presence outside the door. Not even until the moment the knocking sound was heard.

 

While everyone was extremely tense, Gaon spoke in a calm voice.

 

“You may open the door. He’s not someone who would harm us.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Swoosh-.

 

With Gaon’s permission given, Adelia approached the door without a moment’s hesitation.

 

Soon, a man revealed himself through the doorway.

 

“…!”

 

Gasp-!

 

Everyone held their breath.

 

Especially Professor Biyolf’s face turned pale. As if some unpleasant memory had surfaced.

 

Sharply pointed ears. Under long silver-white hair, bandages were wrapped around his eyes.

 

“Good heavens.”

 

Markus Koshate, who had been composed and calm until now, shot up from his seat. His voice began trembling endlessly.

 

The seeker of the sword who appeared in various ancient texts.

 

Living history that had silently passed through thousands of years.

 

An elf who had distanced himself from the secular world after the Heavenly Laws were established and the Great Ones who ruled the earth disappeared.

 

“Pean, Pean the Sword Master…”

 

There was no room to doubt his identity. Not just because of his appearance matching the records in texts.

 

Rumble rumble rumble-!

 

An overwhelming aura that engulfed the room upon his entrance.

 

Plus the Seorineul at his waist, with blue and red metals intricately mixed together.

 

Yes.

 

All of this proved that this elf was the ‘real’ Pean.

 

Markus couldn’t help but freeze at the fact that a Sword Master, who was thought to be only a legendary figure, had appeared before his eyes.

 

“I apologize.”

 

It was the very next moment that Pean politely bowed his head to Gaon in apology.

 

“I stopped by Dawnguard to keep a promise, and was looking around the streets after a long time. Then I heard a familiar voice and followed it… I ended up eavesdropping on your conversation unintentionally. I have committed a breach of etiquette.”

 

As Pean showed courtesy to Gaon, the atmosphere in the room became even heavier.

 

The fact that Pean, who had lived the longest among the Sword Masters, treated Gaon with such respect clearly showed what level Gaon’s status was at.

 

“Anyway.”

 

Pean continued while looking at the Koshate siblings.

 

“To lend weight to Gaon’s words… Yes. Those words are true. Just as I am, Gaon is also a being who directly lived through the era when ancient language was commonly used.”

 

Markus muttered in a trembling voice.

 

“Then, then… who exactly is he…”

 

“He is the Thirteenth Sword Master.”

 

Pean answered calmly.

 

“Though he entered the seeker’s pilgrimage path latest, paradoxically, he has lived the longest among the thirteen Sword Masters… He is also a ‘Primordial Being.'”

 

“…!”

 

Stagger-.

 

Primordial Being.

 

Upon hearing those words, Markus was driven to the brink of fainting, beyond shock.

 

Seeing him sway from sudden dizziness, Natalia was startled and began supporting him.

 

“Brother…!”

 

It was the first time she had seen Markus, who was calm in all matters, show such an intense reaction.

 

However, he wasn’t the only one shocked.

 

Biyolf also gaped his mouth open. His expression suggested he knew Gaon was old, but never imagined it was to that extent.

 

On the other hand, Isaac Beriloff and Adelia just stood there looking somewhat blank. They seemed unable to grasp what exactly ‘Primordial Being’ meant.

 

“…”

 

And from a step away, Strawberry Latte, who had been watching this entire situation…

 

‘…Ah, I don’t know.’

 

She just gave up trying to understand Gaon.

 

What kind of promise he made with Pean. How exactly he managed to coax him into bringing him all the way to Dawnguard. And why someone who possessed a body just two months ago is being mistaken for an “Ancient Being”…

 

‘Even if I died and came back to life, I could never be like that guy, seriously.’

 

…As Strawberry Latte, he simply couldn’t understand this situation at all.

 

* * *

 

“Phew…”

 

Inside the now much quieter suite room.

 

I let out a deep sigh and swept my bangs back behind my forehead.

 

‘Still, I’m glad things worked out well.’

 

With Pean’s appearance, the chaotic atmosphere was instantly settled.

 

Ever since the Istereg incident last time, Pean had been misunderstanding me as an “Ancient Being.”

 

And when he testified to this, the conversation with the Koshat siblings also began to proceed smoothly.

 

─If, if it wouldn’t be rude… could you share even a little of the map’s contents…?

 

The relic had returned to its original owner, but what good was that?

 

After all, an undeciphered map and key were nothing more than old scraps of paper and chunks of scrap metal.

 

‘Moreover…’

 

To the Koshat siblings’ eyes, I must have seemed like someone who lacked nothing.

 

And indeed, I had handed over that precious relic without any hesitation whatsoever.

 

So it was only natural that the Koshat siblings approached me with such deference.

 

I didn’t miss that opportunity and seized control of the situation.

 

─Then leave the relics here. Come back at this time tomorrow, and I’ll have the deciphered contents organized for you.

 

─…!

 

Upon hearing my words, the Koshat siblings’ eyes widened in surprise.

 

Though a hint of anxiety was visible, they eventually nodded after brief consideration and withdrew.

 

‘They seemed intent on not bothering me unnecessarily.’

 

That was understandable.

 

An ancient being who understood the continent’s history and was fluent in ancient languages.

 

If they maintained good relations with someone like me, they could receive help not only with interpreting this relic but also with countless ancient texts they’d encounter in the future.

 

‘Of course, I don’t actually have any ancient language deciphering abilities…’

 

…Still, as a veteran gamer with 200 playthroughs, I could at least help with the major explorations the Relic Investigation Team would face.

 

It would be good to build trust in advance starting with this incident.

 

According to my plans, there would be several important scenarios to progress with the Relic Investigation Team before long.

 

‘Anyway.’

 

After the Koshat siblings left, Pean also departed. We promised to meet again here tomorrow.

 

Perhaps due to the resonance of the true names engraved in the silent chest, Pean seemed to have much to say… but I let him go for now.

 

Right now, there were mountains of more urgent matters than conversing with Pean.

 

“Then let’s meet tomorrow.”

 

“Yes.”

 

So we decided to save detailed discussions for tomorrow and each take some rest.

 

The suite room’s bedrooms were naturally divided among three groups.

 

The first room would be shared by Professor Biyolf and Isaac Beriloff.

 

“It’s been a while since we spent the night together. When we were really busy, staying up five nights straight in the research lab was last year, wasn’t it? Haha!”

 

“Ha, haha… hahaha…”

 

Biyolf laughed heartily while reminiscing about old memories, and Isaac forced himself to laugh along, though some discomfort showed in his expression. Well, fortunately Biyolf didn’t seem to notice that subtle atmosphere.

 

“If you try any funny business, I’ll cut you down, heretic.”

 

“…I told you there won’t be any trouble, right? Even if I harbored other intentions, I can’t do anything because of the ‘absolute command’ from Lord Gaon telling me to behave and go to sleep.”

 

The second room belonged to Adelia and Selena.

 

Adelia would sleep on the floor, Selena on the bed, or something like that.

 

And the final third room…

 

“I’ll personally check Taragon’s condition. Since the Adversary attempted possession, there might still be aftereffects remaining.”

 

“Yes. Understood.”

 

Strawberry Latte and I ended up sharing the same room.

 

I used the Adversary as an excuse, but I chose this simply because I felt most comfortable sharing a room with this guy.

 

Above all, we also needed to review future plans together during the early morning hours.

 

Creak, thud-.

 

Woom, wooom-!

 

As soon as the door closed, Strawberry Latte immediately deployed a silence barrier.

 

As expected, he was quick-witted.

 

That aside, now he could even use magic like this… you’ve really grown a lot in just one month, haven’t you?

 

“…”

 

Swoosh-.

 

Then, Strawberry Latte covered both his eyes with one palm.

 

Then he tapped both ears with his opposite hand’s fingers while mouthing words silently.

 

─Could Pean be listening?

 

I shook my head from side to side.

 

“No.”

 

Given Pean’s personality, he wouldn’t do such a thing.

 

That guy was cunning and calculating, but he was equally cautious.

 

Having already been caught eavesdropping once, he wouldn’t dare attempt to spy on me again.

 

Anyway.

 

“You’ve worked hard, Jeongho.”

 

Plop-.

 

I sat down on the edge of the bed and spoke to Strawberry Latte. He must have had his own struggles since the Adversary incident.

 

However, he remained quietly silent.

 

Just staring down at the floor with a complicated expression.

 

‘What’s this?’

 

Only after a long while did Strawberry Latte open his mouth with a troubled expression.

 

“I was upset about being second place for 12 years, you know? I was upset about being second place for 12 years, you know?”

 

What.

 

Why is he suddenly saying everything twice…?

 

“But after seeing what you did today, I realized. But after seeing what you did today, I realized.”

 

“…”

 

“I’ll just be satisfied with second place for life. I’ll just be satisfied with second place for life.”

 

Ah.

 

So that’s what he meant.

 

“Enough with the pointless talk, let’s finish reviewing the plans.”

 

“Yes. Yes.”

 

* * *

 

“Hey!”

 

Puppet Master Batu shouted angrily.

 

Dorico Shiro, who had been humming while drawing in the dark room, was startled.

 

“What? Why are you entering a lady’s room without notice?”

 

“La, la, lady my ass…! Do you know how much I suffered because of you…?”

 

Batu shouted while trembling with his fists clenched.

 

“You said I could become friends with Gaon, right? You said we could become good friends! But, but, but… that bastard actually tried to kill me!”

 

Ramble ramble—.

 

After that, Batu began listing complaints about how terrible the advice Dorico Shiro had given him was.

 

But Dorico Shiro, who had been quietly listening to his story…

 

“Huh?”

 

…only tilted her head with an expression that seemed to say she didn’t understand.

 

“Wait a minute, Batu.”

 

“What!”

 

“Isn’t that just because you’re a socially awkward loser?”

 

“…!”

 

“The problem is that Gaon hates you. It’s not like my advice was wrong, right?”

 

“…”

 

Freeze—.

 

Batu’s expression hardened stiffly after being hit right on the mark.

 

Soon he began trembling all over.

—————
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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