Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 143
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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 143
Episode 143. Tarosk’s Trial (1)
Even before entering the imperial palace, we had finished all our preparations.
Of course, since Pean had clearly mentioned that ‘movement’ was detected from that building.
“….”
Right.
The past three days of exploring the ruins had been far too easy.
There were a few minor traps here and there, but they were things that Natalya Koshat could easily handle.
Traps where old floors suddenly collapsed, arrows shooting out from walls, and so on.
In fact, that level wasn’t enough to slow down our party. It was laughably weak to even call it ‘dangerous.’
‘Everything up until now was just a warm-up.’
But….
‘…the imperial palace is different.’
If the areas we had been wandering around were the outskirts, that place was the heart of Rashutku.
A space that had remained sealed and silent for thousands of years.
The place where the real dungeon conquest would begin.
That’s why we had no choice but to be especially careful with the imperial palace.
Thud, thud─.
While climbing the long, wide staircase leading to the main building of the imperial palace, Markus cautiously spoke up.
“Lord Gaon.”
“….”
“Do you happen to know the structure of Rashutku Imperial Palace well…?”
At that question, I briefly stopped walking.
Swoosh-.
Then I looked up at the massive imperial palace and gave an ambiguous answer.
“Of course I know the structure.”
“Then…?”
“However, unlike other areas, the imperial palace is a space designed so that only those of noble blood can walk through it.”
“….”
“Of course, someone among us might have that authority, but it doesn’t apply to most of us. It means the imperial palace will likely treat us with hostility.”
I deliberately didn’t specify exactly who that ‘someone’ was.
However, judging by how everyone’s gazes subtly focused on me, they all naturally seemed to think I was that person.
“Now that thousands of years have passed… I don’t know if that rule is still in effect, but it would be good to prepare ourselves.”
“….”
“….”
Gulp-.
At those words, the Koshat siblings swallowed dryly.
Markus adjusted his glasses with a serious expression, and Natalia placed her hand on the belt at her waist.
The others’ reactions were similar.
The peace of the past three days was long forgotten. Everyone began to steel their minds.
I maintained silence for a moment, then finished my words.
“Of course, there will be tremendous rewards waiting that match those dangers.”
“…!”
Right.
I should provide this much motivation.
“We’ve arrived.”
Stop-.
Not long after, we stopped in front of the main entrance of the imperial palace.
A magnificent gate that looked easily over 10 meters tall came into view. On its surface, the figures of the twin emperors were carved in elaborate relief.
Creak-!
While everyone was exclaiming in admiration and looking up at the imperial palace, the gate began to open by itself.
As if it had been waiting just for our arrival.
“….”
“….”
“….”
The party looked at each other with solemn expressions before finally stepping inside the imperial palace.
And….
“Ah.”
…everyone let out gasps of admiration.
Whooooo-.
The interior of the imperial palace was breathtakingly magnificent.
The ceiling was so high that its end couldn’t be seen, and pillars carved with intricate sculptures supported that enormous space.
The floor was smoothly laid with luxurious marble.
But the former glory had faded.
Layers of accumulated dust. And cobwebs covering various places.
The textile crafts on the walls had faded so much that even their original pictures were hard to recognize, and most of the chandeliers had fallen and lay scattered on the floor in pieces.
At the very next moment.
Bang-!
The door closed with a loud noise, making the interior of the imperial palace dark.
As if even the light coming through the windows was completely blocked, everything was shrouded in pitch-black darkness.
“I’ll illuminate the surroundings.”
Swoosh-.
Natalia quickly pulled out a flashlight from the belt at her waist.
Biyolf gripped his staff tightly while watching all directions, and Selena also looked around with wary eyes.
Swift and calm reactions.
But their faces showed unmistakable tension.
Though they had entered prepared for danger, they apparently hadn’t expected the trial to begin so suddenly and blatantly.
“….”
In contrast, I didn’t even blink an eye.
Rather, I felt almost relieved that what I had expected was beginning.
[Bear trials corresponding to the weight of the treasures you have taken. Prove your own qualifications to match the size of your greed.]
‘…It’s finally starting.’
Right.
The Ruins of Rashutku.
What could be called its first gateway… the twin emperors’ “Tarosk’s Trial” had finally begun.
* * *
Swoosh-.
Adelia unconsciously gripped the handle of her meteor sword.
Her body had automatically reacted to the sudden situation.
[Foolish ones.]
“…!”
Then, a voice echoed throughout the entire imperial palace.
Just like how the voice of “The Owner of the Forge and the Flame” had echoed from the Anvil of the Single Shoe, it felt as if this space itself was speaking.
The stone pillars, ceiling, and floor—everything began to vibrate, conveying someone’s will.
[Over thousands of years, only five groups have found this sanctuary. Yet none of them knew satisfaction, and they dared to covet even the threshold of the imperial palace. The end of those who did not know when to retreat was truly miserable.]
“….”
[However, you are exceptional among them. Never before has a group reached the imperial palace while carrying so many treasures.]
The emperor’s voice contained both arrogance and dignity. A tone that seemed to look down on beings infinitely beneath him.
[I, Tarosk XVI, the last emperor of Rashutku, solemnly declare.]
“….”
[To you who have defiled the empire’s sanctuary with greed, Rashutku will impose punishment heavier and more cruel than ever before.]
Everyone’s expressions hardened.
Even though they had only heard the declaration, they instinctively realized this situation was far from ordinary.
Adelia also felt an indescribable anxiety slowly rising within her.
However….
Smirk-.
…For some reason, Gaon was simply wearing his usual relaxed smile.
[…?]
At this, Emperor Tarosk muttered low as if dumbfounded.
[How dare you smile. Do you still not realize the sin you have committed? Do you truly not know how grave the weight of your reckless greed is….]
“Of course I know.”
Thud-.
Instantly, silence fell over the hall.
Everyone’s gaze turned to Gaon in unison.
Not only had he interrupted the ancient emperor’s words, but his bold defiance left everyone speechless.
[What…?]
“I said we know everything we’ve taken.”
However, Gaon remained completely unshaken.
With calm and composed eyes, he simply repeated his words as if stating the obvious.
* * *
Suddenly, I recalled what Strawberry Latte had said the day before.
─Planning strategies down to the second isn’t enough, you even prepare Plan C… where else would you find someone like that…?
Right.
I know I’m a bit excessive too.
I admit that I have controlling tendencies. It wouldn’t be wrong to call it obsessive-compulsive disorder.
‘But I can’t help it.’
It’s a kind of occupational hazard.
I’ve lived my whole life in an environment where I had no choice but to be that way.
And at some point, that way of life became completely natural to me.
‘It was the reason I never did concept play even once in 12 years.’
Everything had to be thoroughly controlled, and unexpected variables simply shouldn’t exist in the first place.
In contrast, concept play was a method where even I, the one controlling it, found it difficult to predict the results.
‘Of course, I never imagined that my first concept play, which I started with great determination to commemorate my 200th playthrough, would get this twisted….’
Well, it actually worked out well. Thanks to that variable, even more possibilities opened up.
If it hadn’t been for that, the situation after my possession would have been much more desperate.
‘Anyway.’
What I’m trying to say is….
“We collected gold coins at 36 minutes and 21 seconds after first entering the Rashutku Empire, and at 47 minutes and 19 seconds we took books related to ancient alchemy. At 49 minutes and 26 seconds, we took mana stone ornaments.”
[…?]
“At 1 hour, 2 minutes, and 17 seconds, we took a staff, and just 4 seconds later at 1 hour, 2 minutes, and 21 seconds, we took the ring that was next to it.”
I remember everything.
To be precise.
I had ‘planned’ all of this.
─Could you confirm whether what we’ve been researching is really correct? I don’t think we’ll ever have another chance to hear directly from someone who actually lived in that era.
It was me who had been leading the party ever since we entered the ruins.
I pretended to be an ancient being and showed familiarity with the Rashutku Empire, and it was also me who naturally took control of the party.
It was me who guided the way through the familiar city and led the route following the memories of playing the game.
The exploration path, the locations and timing of items.
Everything was a pre-planned strategy. Even the party members’ tendencies were included in the calculations—’around this time, when they see that, their eyes will light up and they’ll grab it.’
─…Hyung, are you seriously insane?
Strawberry Latte cursed at me, calling me a madman for planning so obsessively….
‘Listen, Latte.’
There’s still one thing you don’t know.
‘Simply collecting a lot of items doesn’t increase the difficulty of Tarosk’s trial.’
The content of the trial itself changes depending on the type and timing of the items collected.
That random element… or more precisely, the patterns that the developers made to ‘appear’ random—I had figured out all of it.
Of course, the trial doesn’t change every time the timing of collecting items changes by seconds. Calculating that was just a reflection of my obsessive personality.
And.
I used those rules to deliberately trigger a specific trial.
“….”
The introduction was a bit long, but what I’m ultimately trying to say is….
“Since I wanted the most difficult trial from the beginning, I deliberately collected items to the fullest.”
[….]
“It wasn’t greed, but a spirited choice to face your trial head-on.”
…Haven’t I said this countless times already?
Lost Elder is a world where high risk, high return applies.
‘That’s what makes it worth challenging.’
A trial no one could handle.
The deepest and most dangerous zone.
Facing all of that head-on and ultimately achieving victory.
That was the way I had lived in this world, and it was a belief that would never change.
“Besides, what’s wrong with the owner taking his own belongings….”
[How insolent.]
The emperor didn’t even listen to my words and growled with a voice full of anger.
[Fine.]
“….”
[This time, I’ll properly judge your arrogance.]
Rumble rumble rumble-!
The entire imperial palace shook violently.
Everyone immediately took combat stances, but there was no anxiety in their expressions.
The confidence that I had complete control over this situation had already settled in everyone’s hearts.
I grinned.
‘Yes.’
Keep testing me.
Drive us endlessly into the abyss of death, and throw us into even more suffocating dangers.
I will survive.
By any means necessary. Somehow.
And….
I will turn all your threats into my own spoils of war in the end.
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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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