Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 14

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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 14

Episode 14. A Moment of Enlightenment (2)

Whew-.

About ten more minutes had passed since I used the authority skill.

I was finally able to regain my composure.

The churning in my stomach, the pain that had assaulted me as I bit my tongue—all of it disappeared not long after the skill effect ended.

Time was indeed the best medicine.

…The problem was that when using Ritardando, that damn ‘time’ barely moved at all.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

I never expected the output of the True form to be this powerful.

Until I actually used the skill, I couldn’t have imagined the time dilation would increase this much.

If it weren’t for the passive effect of 【Soul of the Sword Master】, wouldn’t my mind have collapsed?

Only now did I understand the intention behind the trial set up by the masters of seconds and moments.

They must have judged that if one couldn’t endure the pain in the spiritual realm, they wouldn’t be able to use the authority anyway.

‘Well, still…’

Swish-.

I looked at the notification window that appeared in the corner of my vision.

〔Reward: You have acquired the passive skill 【Basic Pain Resistance】.〕

By enduring the pain of biting my tongue for a long time, I gained a new skill.

Of course, Basic Pain Resistance couldn’t be called that great of a skill…

What I needed to focus on here was the fact that I could acquire skills through specific actions.

‘The growth mechanism I knew is working properly.’

Haven’t I said this before?

If I use Loel’s system well, I should be able to achieve infinite growth through this authority.

I confirmed that the structure I theoretically believed possible was working properly.

So now it was time to fully utilize that growth mechanism.

‘The only disappointing thing is that I don’t know exactly what the ratio is between reality and the slowed time…’

I was too flustered to properly grasp the time ratio.

‘…Should I try counting numbers in my head next time I use the skill?’

While I was continuing to think about various things by myself.

“Sword Master.”

Startled-.

At that moment, Adelia quietly whispered to me from beside me.

Hearing the title Sword Master, I flinched. It was indeed a statement that could easily be misunderstood if others heard it.

‘What is she going to do if others hear…’

I quickly looked around.

Fortunately, no one had heard Adelia’s words.

Her voice was quite quiet, and the rattling noise of the carriage was also loud.

“This might be an presumptuous question, but may I know the reason you’re heading to Bertas, the Free City?”

Whether she knew my feelings or not, Adelia continued to question me.

The reason for heading to Bertas, the Free City?

‘Well, it’s because it’s the region where I can do the most at this point in time.’

Bertas, the Free City.

One of the “four major cities” remaining on the continent, it was the main stage for the early to mid-game.

As such, Bertas was rich in resources and items that players could obtain.

I could also encounter many NPCs who would be of great help in future gameplay.

Even without ‘that’ ability to counter the undead, it would have been a destination I needed to head to anyway.

‘And though I’m not certain yet…’

…If my intuition is correct, I should be able to gain great rewards from this journey as well.

‘Of course, I can’t reveal this directly to Adelia.’

Therefore, I wielded my go-to excuse I could use with her.

By implying that all of this was a revelation from the ancient god, the Elder.

“Even if you are a member of the sacred House of Goldhart, I cannot carelessly reveal His will.”

“…Ah.”

Nod nod-.

Fortunately, Adelia seemed to accept my words.

With her mouth open and a blank expression, she nodded her head. Her face was like that of a child looking at a hero they admired.

Chuckling inwardly, I continued my response.

“Don’t worry too much. Even while following His will, there will be plenty of time to bestow teachings upon you.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Nod nod-.

Adelia nodded her head again. A gleam was already sparkling in her deep blue eyes.

The reason she followed me in the first place was to gain enlightenment.

As long as I properly satisfied that desire, Adelia would no longer question my every action.

‘Actually, I don’t have the ability to give Adelia any teachings…’

She’s the genius with the highest potential in The World of Loel.

Just by being next to me, she’ll somehow acquire enlightenment on her own.

“And…”

I trailed off for a moment.

Since we started this conversation, I should properly address what needs to be addressed.

Let’s start with the form of address.

Being called Sword Master all the time was quite burdensome.

“…From now on, call me ‘Gaon.'”

Gaon.

It was a name derived from my nickname ‘Middle Finger’ that I used during my Loel days.

Come to think of it, we hadn’t even properly introduced ourselves. While wondering what to say my name was, I just blurted out whatever name came to mind.

Hearing my words, Adelia began nodding her head vigorously with a much brighter expression.

“Understood, Sir Gaon.”

Adelia showed quite a satisfied reaction just from learning my name.

Perhaps she felt inwardly that the distance between us had narrowed.

* * *

Half a day had already passed since leaving Dungarrd, the Dark City.

Everywhere the eye could reach, dried weeds and cracked earth spread out.

The city lights had long since disappeared. Beyond the horizon, only desolate scenery continued endlessly.

【Unexplored Territories】

That was the name of this place.

No, actually it was a bit ambiguous to call it a place name.

The Unexplored Territories was a term that collectively referred to all the space outside the major cities.

‘Anyway.’

Unlike the major cities protected by barriers, the Unexplored Territories were dangerous spaces that could always be exposed to monster attacks.

Therefore, merchant guilds and adventurers passing through here were always on high alert.

In the deep of night when you couldn’t see an inch ahead.

This was why the group had stiffened expressions as they remained vigilant of their surroundings.

“It’s quiet.”

Adelia’s voice echoed softly.

Isn’t the calm before the storm supposed to be the most frightening? Adelia seemed uneasy about the current situation being too quiet.

The bald merchant guild leader responded with a faint smile.

“That’s because we’re passing through the Silk Road. If anything, it’s natural for it to be quiet.”

Adelia frowned slightly.

“Not all of the Silk Road is safe, is it? Especially recently, I heard that the Silk Road’s barriers often go out due to unstable magic stone supplies…”

“Our merchant guild has identified all the dangerous areas. We’re arriving late because we’re taking detours to avoid them.”

“…”

“So don’t worry. At least nothing dangerous will happen during this journey.”

Right.

As the merchant guild leader said, not all areas of the Unexplored Territories were dangerous.

Even in these perilous places, safe zones existed here and there.

【Silk-road】

The name of the trade network connecting each major city.

It was named this way because the barriers spread along the routes resembled silk roads.

‘But at the current point in time, even the Silk Road can’t be trusted one hundred percent.’

Certainly, until just a few years ago, the Silk Road was an inviolable safe zone.

However, now that the world’s destruction was accelerating exponentially, the Silk Road was becoming increasingly unstable.

Especially on days when the supply of magic stones that maintained the barriers was insufficient…

Kuuuuuung─!

“Huh?”

“The, the barrier went out!”

…disasters like this would unfold, where the Silk Road’s barrier would temporarily shut down.

“Attack! It’s an attack!”

Auuuuuuu-!

Kang, kang kang-!

Wolf howls coming from all directions.

Monsters in packs surrounded the group and gradually closed their encirclement.

They seemed to have rushed over to hunt prey, taking advantage of the weakened barrier. The wolves glared with blood-red eyes and drooled thick saliva.

【Lv. 24】

【Lv. 27】

【Lv. 26】

Scavenger Wolf.

One of the most commonly found wolf-type monsters in the Unexplored Territories.

When I only saw them through a monitor, I felt nothing…

Damn.

Facing them in reality, they looked terrifyingly frightening.

“A, ahem!”

Just then, the bald merchant guild leader’s expression became troubled.

He glanced sideways at Adelia, reading the situation.

“Th, this is strange. This was definitely a safe route where no accidents had ever occurred…”

Rather than being afraid of this situation, he seemed slightly embarrassed about having boasted that nothing would happen.

It was the very next moment when urgent shouts from mercenaries erupted from various places.

“Everyone prepare for battle!”

“Damn it, protect the merchants first! The defense line absolutely cannot be breached!”

Auuuuu-!

The wolf pack began charging toward us with roars.

The mercenaries’ levels ranged variously from 20 to 30.

It didn’t seem like the defense line would be breached, but I couldn’t guarantee there would be no casualties either.

After finishing that thought, I glanced at Adelia and spoke.

“Adelia.”

“Yes.”

“Go help them. I’ll stay here and guard the merchant guild leader.”

“…Understood.”

Sring-!

Adelia drew her sword without a moment’s hesitation.

She leaped into the heart of the battlefield where wolves and mercenaries were engaged in fierce combat.

“Uh, uhh…?”

Before long, puzzled voices from mercenaries could be heard from various places.

Only one person had been added to the battlefield.

Yet surprisingly, the evenly matched battle suddenly tilted to one side.

Swoosh-!

The Scavenger Wolves were swept away like autumn leaves before Adelia’s sword.

Acrobatic and dazzling swordplay.

Witnessing in reality the movements that had only unfolded beyond a monitor, I couldn’t help but gasp in admiration.

‘Huh…’

Until now, I had only seen Adelia fighting alone, so there was nothing to compare her to.

But seeing her traverse the battlefield freely among dozens of mercenaries, I realized once again just how powerful she was.

Truly a crane among chickens.

The influence of level 77 was tremendous enough to completely overturn the tide of battle in an instant.

Saaaaa-.

Soon the chaotic battlefield settled into a somewhat calm state.

A clear boundary line formed between the entangled humans and wolves.

And Adelia didn’t miss that opportunity.

“Everyone please step back.”

After uttering a brief warning, she immediately lowered her stance.

Kugugugugung-!

Her center of gravity shifted to both legs. As strength gathered in her lower body, the ground around her caved in.

And shortly after, a teal aura covered her entire body. Adelia swung her sword with all her might.

“Wh, what…!”

Kwaaaaaaaaa-!

All the surrounding mercenaries widened their eyes.

It was a single strike.

However, that ‘single strike’ swept away the wolf pack that the mercenaries had been struggling against in one go.

A teal sword energy drawn horizontally cut through everything in its path.

The Scavenger Wolf pack, numbering in the dozens, met their death without even uttering death cries.

“Whew.”

Adelia exhaled briefly and turned around.

“I’ve dealt with all the wolves as ordered.”

“…Good work.”

Pause-.

Upon hearing my response, Adelia stood still in place and tilted her head.

With an expression as if desperately longing for something.

‘Ah.’

I could finally understand her intention, albeit belatedly.

She was pestering me for more teachings again.

“Get in the carriage for now. I’ll explain the details while we’re moving.”

“Yes.”

Only then did Adelia, with a much brighter expression, walk toward the carriage.

Was it just my imagination that her hurried steps seemed somehow cheerful?

‘Haah…’

I let out a sigh from my frustrated heart.

My head hurts.

I have no idea what kind of nonsense I’ll have to come up with this time to smooth over the situation.

“…”

“…”

“…”

The mercenaries and Karayan could only watch our exchange with bewildered expressions.

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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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