Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 141

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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 141

 

Episode 141. Ruins of Rashutku (3)

 

‘These bastards…’

 

I forcibly swallowed the laughter that was about to escape.

 

Adelia’s sparkling eyes. The trustful expressions of the Wintershield mages. And even the earnest gazes of the Koshat siblings.

 

Everyone was focusing their attention on me.

 

As if I were the only key that could solve this situation.

 

‘…So you’ve decided to take it easy on this expedition?’

 

In fact, even a scholar of Markus Koshat’s caliber could sufficiently interpret this level of ancient language.

 

While the map was covered with all sorts of codes and complex mechanisms, the city gate’s riddle had a much simpler structure in comparison.

 

Even in the actual game, I remember Markus completing the interpretation in three days.

 

In the midst of all this, everyone was mistaking me for an ‘Ancient Being’… so the situation where they were trying to dump the work on me was simply amusing.

 

‘But, well.’

 

Come to think of it, there was no need to rack our brains for three whole days to solve this riddle.

 

When there’s a native speaker(?) who uses ancient language fluently, why would we need to waste time on some pointless quiz show?

 

I could understand their reactions as they stared at me blankly.

 

In reality, in this situation, having me step forward was the fastest and most rational choice. Especially with Dawnguard’s auction approaching soon.

 

Ah, of course.

 

I didn’t particularly have any complaints about the current situation either.

 

‘…Well, this is actually a golden opportunity for me.’

 

Last night.

 

The conversation I had with Strawberry Latte while making plans.

 

The principle that human resources are more important than material rewards.

 

And now.

 

The moment had come to be imprinted as a special figure to everyone accompanying me.

 

─Hyung-nim.

 

Just then, Strawberry Latte also glanced at me and moved his lips slightly.

 

─Is it now?

 

“…”

 

Yes.

 

It’s now, Strawberry Latte.

 

Thud, thud─.

 

I slowly approached the city gate.

 

Only the sound of my footsteps echoed in the silence.

 

The complex ancient characters carved on the massive gate began to appear more and more clearly.

 

I could feel everyone holding their breath while watching my back.

 

‘They must be planning to easily conquer this ruin by putting me at the front…’

 

Heh-.

 

I smiled faintly.

 

Fortunately, no one behind me saw that expression.

 

‘…The one who’ll be taking it easy won’t be you, but me.’

 

* * *

 

“…”

 

Swish-.

 

Markus Koshat adjusted his glasses.

 

His eyes carefully scanned the ancient characters carved on the gate.

 

‘Let’s see.’

 

Befitting his reputation as one of the top experts in the Relic Exploration Society, he grasped the approximate difficulty of deciphering the ancient language the moment he saw it.

 

He had a clear estimate.

 

Taking it leisurely, one week. If he concentrated by pulling all-nighters, three days would be sufficient.

 

Even so, Markus looked at Gaon with subtle eyes.

 

The reason was simple.

 

‘…I’m just, excited.’

 

This was the first time he had directly encountered an Ancient Being.

 

No.

 

Excluding Gaon, it was questionable whether he could ever meet such a person again in the future.

 

Was that why?

 

Suddenly, he became curious whether Gaon could really use ancient language fluently.

 

Rather than suspicion… it was an emotion much closer to ‘admiration’.

 

Characters that were nothing but codes to them.

 

He wanted to see Gaon effortlessly solve the complex letters that would take them days to interpret.

 

‘…Ah, now he’s moving.’

 

Thud, thud-.

 

Just then, Gaon began walking toward the gate.

 

Markus, who had been secretly hoping for the Ancient Being to step forward, sparkled his eyes.

 

Standing tall-.

 

Soon after, Gaon stopped walking in front of the gate.

 

His figure standing before the massive structure spanning dozens of meters looked infinitely small at first glance.

 

However, strangely, his presence was immeasurably grand.

 

It was to the point where one might have the absurd illusion that the gate was bowing its head toward Gaon.

 

The composure that didn’t diminish at all even before the massive ruins that had endured thousands of years. The dignified and calm gestures that nothing could overwhelm.

 

Swish-.

 

With everyone’s attention focused on him, Gaon quietly raised his hand and began reaching toward the gate.

 

“It’s been a while, Rashutku.”

 

A low, deep voice quietly echoed through the ancient ruins that had been sleeping for thousands of years.

 

“Even though such a long time has passed… to think you’d try to test me with riddles and such. In the near-eternal passage of time, have your memories become so hazy?”

 

“…?”

 

At his words treating the ruins like a person, everyone tilted their heads in confusion.

 

However, Gaon’s expression was extremely serious. It was calm as if confirming a natural fact, yet simultaneously imbued with absolute authority.

 

Gaon declared with a voice that held wistful longing, yet was firm without a trace of wavering.

 

“Now open the door. Your master has returned.”

 

Just as everyone was bewildered by that sudden proclamation.

 

Kuuuuuuung──!

 

Creak, crrrrreak──!

 

A thunderous roar shook the earth.

 

The massive gate that had been firmly closed for thousands of years finally began to open.

 

“…!”

 

When the door was completely opened, a scene beyond imagination unfolded beyond it.

 

The ancient city revealed beyond the massive fortress was majestic enough to take one’s breath away.

 

Vast stone plazas and towering spires rising above them. Intricately carved pillars and magnificent buildings lined up in rows.

 

Though it was a ruin without a trace of human presence, one couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by its scale and grandeur alone.

 

Just imagining that countless people once lived and breathed in this place made something deep in one’s chest stir heavily.

 

“….”

 

Gaon watched that scene with meaningful eyes. An expression that seemed both happy and somehow lonely, as if reuniting with an old friend.

 

He crossed the threshold of the ancient city without hesitation, as if familiar with it.

 

Thud-.

 

With his first step, the sound of footsteps on stone floor echoed hollowly.

 

However, no one dared to follow behind Gaon.

 

Everyone just held their breath and quietly watched his retreating figure.

 

‘What is this….’

 

An indescribable thrill ran through Markus Koshate’s entire body.

 

The words Gaon had spoken just moments ago circled in his head.

 

‘The… owner of Rashutku…?’

 

The civilization that had prospered most in the primordial era.

 

The absolute empire that had monopolized the favor and blessings of great beings.

 

Gaon had called himself the ‘owner’ of that forgotten legend.

 

‘Then….’

 

If those words were true.

 

Simply defining Gaon as a “Primordial Being” would be close to an insult in itself.

 

Because he was someone who had reached a much higher level than that.

 

‘…Could it mean he’s an absolute being among the most prominent of the Primordial Beings?’

 

Perhaps.

 

The very idea of testing Gaon with riddles might have been a ridiculous notion.

 

* * *

 

‘Aaagh, aaaagh!’

 

I screamed silently inside.

 

‘So cringeworthy…!’

 

Even I thought that line from earlier was too chuunibyou.

 

‘If I were alone, it might be different….’

 

Trying to put on this concept in front of Strawberry Latte made my hands and feet curl up in embarrassment.

 

The shame doubled as that guy kept glancing at me and snickering.

 

Damn it….

 

“…Phew.”

 

I sighed and tried to regain my composure.

 

The riddles of Rashutku change every time.

 

Therefore, the standard strategy was to include the Relic Investigation Team as party members, then decode the problem.

 

Then the city gates would open three days to a week later according to the game system. The typical strategy was to set up camp in front of the fortress and train during that time.

 

‘But there’s a veteran gamer’s trick.’

 

Memorizing all 43 possible riddle combinations, then comparing each pattern and ancient word to give the predetermined answer.

 

Once you became a top 10 ranker, you could do all of this without even looking at saved screenshots.

 

Of course, the very detailed parts were different, so it took some time to distinguish them. Even I had to think about it to some degree.

 

‘But….’

 

What completely blocked the gates of the Ruins of Rashutku wasn’t a simple physical barrier.

 

‘This is a barrier blocked by overlapping advanced magical barriers.’

 

The gates were merely a ‘medium’ to maintain those barriers.

 

Essentially, the same structure as Demarion the Great Sage’s entrance.

 

‘In other words….’

 

Ding-!

 

〔You have used Active Skill: 【Barrier Destroyer】.〕

 

…It meant I could easily break through using this skill without needing to decode and solve riddles.

 

‘Well, anyway.’

 

Once inside the ruins, the full empire revealed itself. A massive palace visible between various buildings caught my eye.

 

That place was this dungeon’s “Core Point.” Of course, I’d need to visit several other places first.

 

‘Hm…?’

 

But why was it?

 

The Koshat siblings and Wintershield mages couldn’t easily take a step forward.

 

They were looking at the city gates with regretful eyes.

 

“Is there some problem?”

 

“Ah, well….”

 

At my words, Markus answered carefully.

 

“It’s regrettable that the riddle on the gates disappeared. It was a precious specimen that could have helped with future ancient language interpretation.”

 

“….”

 

“Of course, thanks to The Protagonist cleanly solving the riddle, we saved a lot of time… It’s just that as a researcher, I have some lingering regrets.”

 

That’s right.

 

Right after I used 【Barrier Destroyer】, the shimmering characters carved on the gates vanished without a trace.

 

Markus was a scholar to his bones. While he expressed gratitude outwardly, he couldn’t hide his disappointment at losing the specimen.

 

For a researcher, new data was more precious than anything else.

 

“….”

 

Snicker-.

 

A laugh escaped me without realizing.

 

Though the Koshat siblings wore the guise of children due to the “Golden Restriction,” what was contained within were proper adults.

 

Even so, seeing them display such scholarly curiosity felt admirable.

 

Perhaps it was because I already had great fondness for the Koshat siblings in my heart.

 

Since I knew how great of allies they would become in the future.

 

‘Not bad.’

 

Rather, wasn’t this kind of pure desire for knowledge the true quality of a scholar?

 

In the world of Roel, there were quite a few who pursued learning for power or honor. It meant pure ones like Markus were rare.

 

Having finished that thought, I looked at Strawberry Latte and said.

 

“Taragon.”

 

“Yes?”

 

You were laughing at me earlier, weren’t you?

 

Now let’s see you struggle a bit.

 

“Do you remember the ancient language written on the gates?”

 

“Well… I’ll try my best.”

 

Rustle-.

 

Strawberry Latte took out a small notebook and pen from his pocket and began writing something frantically.

 

He was perfectly copying the complex ancient characters that had been carved on the gates.

 

This was possible not only because he was a veteran gamer, but….

 

〔Trait: Cool-headed Mind〕

 

〔Trait: Perfect Memory〕

 

…Also thanks to ‘Perfect Memory,’ one of the traits he gained from being transported into the game.

 

“H-how can you write ancient language like that…!”

 

Of course, others who didn’t know this were shocked to see Strawberry Latte’s actions.

 

Especially Biyolf, who widened his eyes in amazement.

 

I answered on behalf of Strawberry Latte, who was busy writing.

 

“It’s thanks to the remnants of the Adversary.”

 

“…What?”

 

“He too has been summoned by Demarion the Great Sage before. He inherited ancient knowledge there as well.”

 

“…!”

 

“That strange spell that nullified your attack is also part of ancient knowledge. It seems those memories were imprinted on Taragon during the soul transference process.”

 

Biyolf’s pupils began to shake.

 

“Then, then….”

 

“That’s right.”

 

I nodded and answered calmly.

 

“As long as remnants of The Adversary remain, Taragon also possesses the potential to reach such transcendent heights. This is what I confirmed while examining his body last night.”

 

“Ah…!”

 

Biyolf let out an exclamation.

 

“I, I knew it! I knew Taragon had extraordinary talent…!”

 

Strawberry Latte, who heard that conversation, rolled his eyes and looked at me with a slightly anxious expression.

 

“…?”

 

Though his mouth was tightly shut, his endlessly wavering gaze seemed to be shouting:

 

─Shit, hyung! This wasn’t part of the story! How the hell am I supposed to handle the aftermath!

 

“….”

 

I don’t know either.

 

Figure it out yourself.

 

If you just go with it, things work out somehow.

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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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