Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 147

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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 147

 

Episode 147. Tarosk’s Trial (5)

 

* * *

 

“…?”

 

Adelia’s eyes widened in surprise.

 

Gaon was dancing with the mannequins in the center of the banquet hall.

 

Thud-.

 

Every time the music stopped, he somehow noticed and stopped his movements with ghostly timing.

 

‘He can’t hear anything… how is he able to notice?’

 

It was completely incomprehensible.

 

His movements were so natural that it felt like his paralyzed hearing was a lie.

 

“Lord Gaon!”

 

Just then, Professor Biyolf started making a racket.

 

“Why are you indulging in these guys’ childish games! Just let me blow them all away with magic! Please give me permission!”

 

“Stay quiet and wait for my instructions. Don’t make any more noise.”

 

“Yes! I understand… wait, hold on?”

 

Gaon was even having a normal conversation with Professor Biyolf. There seemed to be no problem with communication at all.

 

“No, how did you hear what I said again?”

 

Adelia couldn’t help but be amazed once more.

 

‘What’s going on? Are the restrictions not working on him? Or is it that…’

 

She didn’t know.

 

It was a situation that couldn’t be explained by any common sense she knew.

 

In the end, Adelia gave up thinking about it.

 

“….”

 

Honestly speaking, it wasn’t even that surprising anymore.

 

Was it because she had encountered so many unrealistic situations?

 

No matter what happened, she had come to just accept it.

 

[….]

 

Swoosh-.

 

While Adelia was lost in such thoughts.

 

A new mannequin appeared from somewhere.

 

Its atmosphere was different from the other mannequins from the start. It was much larger in build, and the aura it gave off was intimidating.

 

Instead of a tailcoat, it wore a neatly arranged black uniform.

 

A large sword hung at its waist, and it wore glossy leather gloves on both hands.

 

‘That is…?’

 

Thump, thump-.

 

The uniformed mannequin slowly approached Gaon.

 

The surrounding mannequins stopped dancing one by one and stepped back. As if they sensed something was about to happen.

 

The music from the Skeleton Orchestra gradually became disjointed and eventually stopped completely.

 

When a strange tension filled the banquet hall.

 

The Black Uniform Mannequin took action.

 

Thud-!

 

It removed the glove it was wearing and threw it right at Gaon’s face.

 

“…?”

 

Adelia’s eyes were colored with bewilderment.

 

No one could mistake the meaning of that action.

 

‘A, a duel challenge…?’

 

Just then, the Black Uniform Mannequin opened its mouth.

 

In a mechanical yet dignified voice.

 

[I wish to steal your dance partner.]

 

“….”

 

[I shall claim that right through an honorable duel.]

 

Whoooosh-.

 

At that very moment, the lighting in the banquet hall began to change dramatically.

 

From sensual crimson to cold blue light.

 

From a banquet hall in the midst of festivities to an arena before a duel.

 

* * *

 

The second phase.

 

This time, the restricted target would engage in a one-on-one duel with a Black Uniform steel golem.

 

In the system, the golem is set to exactly the same level as the ‘designated target.’

 

【Lv. 40】

 

And as I’ve said many times.

 

I was an 「Irregular」 who could overcome level gaps.

 

In other words, I could gain an absolute advantage in battles between the same level.

 

Theoretically, it was a structure where an easy overwhelming victory was possible.

 

‘…But I can’t be satisfied with just winning this battle.’

 

Swoosh-.

 

I thought that as I surveyed the surrounding scenery.

 

The center of the banquet hall.

 

My companions and the other mannequins surrounded us in a circle.

 

In the middle of a colosseum created by the crowd, I was facing off against my enemy.

 

The next moment, the voice of the Black Uniform Mannequin pierced through the auditory restrictions and reached me.

 

[You who have received the duel challenge, decide the honorable method of combat.]

 

“….”

 

Usually in games, two choices would appear.

 

Fight until one side dies.

 

Or, fight until one side declares defeat.

 

‘However, my current opponent desires an honorable duel.’

 

Then, the answer I should choose is…

 

“Let us duel until one side declares defeat.”

 

[….]

 

If I had proposed different conditions, the 「Announcer」 who values ‘formality’ would have designated me as an enemy.

 

Calling me a foreigner who defiled Rashutku’s etiquette, all the mannequins in the banquet hall would have tried to kill me in unison.

 

‘Anyway. Such unnecessarily detailed choices, really.’

 

It felt awkward to directly say the choices that appeared in the game.

 

While I was having such thoughts, the Black Uniform Mannequin drew its sword.

 

I also drew the Feather Sword from its sheath.

 

I couldn’t hear the familiar sword cry, but the vibration transmitted through my fingertips when the sword was drawn was particularly clear.

 

‘The time given to me is… about 5 minutes now.’

 

Throb-.

 

I could instinctively realize it.

 

If I continued using my super senses beyond that, I would definitely face a dangerous situation.

 

Even right now, a burning pain was surging through my head.

 

“….”

 

My consciousness grew increasingly hazy, and my mind became so distant it seemed ready to snap at any moment. Even the ‘MAX’ mental strength correction couldn’t overcome the output of this authority.

 

This was a stark demonstration of just how far beyond human limits this ability was. It was incomparably more powerful than 【Ritardando True】.

 

Right.

 

This ability was never meant to be wielded by ordinary humans in the first place.

 

The fact that the system itself was designed to inevitably inflict pain on its user proved that point.

 

‘But….’

 

〔Sword ‘MAX’ and Senses ‘MAX’ are fusing.〕

 

〔Reward: You have acquired the passive skill 【Super Intuition】.〕

 

‘…I must endure this, if only to test this new ability.’

 

Whoosh-!

 

The opponent launched their first sword strike.

 

At the same moment, tens of thousands of pieces of information began pouring into my mind.

 

The minute movements of the mannequin’s shoulder joints.

 

The trajectory of the blade cutting through the air.

 

Even the changes in pressure created by the air-splitting strike and the flow of air currents.

 

‘I can see it.’

 

No, this wasn’t simply a matter of seeing.

 

I could predict it.

 

Before the opponent even swung their sword, I could read the precursors of their attack and realize the outcome in advance.

 

As if I were peering into the future a few seconds ahead.

 

【Super Intuition】

 

A passive skill born from the fusion of Sword talent ‘MAX’ and Senses ‘MAX’.

 

It was an ability I had never obtained once during my 200 playthroughs. This was the first time I had acquired super senses and maxed out sword talent in the same playthrough.

 

Of course, I was well aware of this skill’s effects.

 

It was the core skill of ‘that’ Sword Master I would encounter soon.

 

An intuition bordering on future sight, an ability to see an opponent’s actions several seconds ahead.

 

‘Honestly, I never expected to obtain this here….’

 

Acquiring super senses had definitely been part of the plan.

 

But gaining super intuition through that process was something I had never anticipated.

 

The unlock conditions for super intuition were completely unknown.

 

No, I had never even considered that it could be unlocked through any method other than the 「Sacred Covenant」.

 

Like Pean’s super senses, it was only thought to be ‘that’ Sword Master’s unique ability.

 

‘An unplanned harvest, but….’

 

…Rather, that made the situation all the better.

 

Perhaps I could even completely revise my future plans to accommodate this ability.

 

Meticulously crafted scenarios. Precisely calculated sequences. I was someone who felt most secure when moving within those frameworks….

 

But right now, this moment was different.

 

With the unexpected card of super intuition in my hand, my existing plans felt like shackles holding me back instead.

 

The next trials I would face in the Rashutku Ruins. The confrontation with Puppet Master Batu. Even the numerous events lurking in the Celestial Dragon auction.

 

I felt I could rewrite all those scenarios and push forward more aggressively.

 

The fact that even I, who extremely disliked variables, was willingly welcoming plan revisions was enough to explain what a groundbreaking 「game changer」 this ability was.

 

‘Anyway.’

 

Clang-!

 

That was as far as my thoughts went.

 

Following the future unfolding before my eyes, I slightly twisted my wrist holding the Feather Sword.

 

The moment the mannequin’s sword collided with my blade, I was already foreseeing the next future.

 

The enemy would tilt to the right due to the recoil. To regain balance, it would shift weight to its left foot, and simultaneously attempt a counterattack by swinging its sword upward from below.

 

‘In that case….’

 

Swish-.

 

I moved my body according to that future.

 

After completely deflecting the mannequin’s sword, I immediately twisted my body.

 

Even though the opponent hadn’t even begun its counterattack yet, I had already assumed a stance to evade that attack.

 

[…!]

 

The mannequin was visibly flustered.

 

Of course, it wasn’t an easy opponent by any means.

 

The moment I deviated from the sword path, it immediately changed its judgment and tried to modify its attack.

 

‘But….’

 

I had already noticed even that movement.

 

Swish-.

 

I twisted my body once more.

 

This time, one step to the left.

 

[…!!]

 

The mannequin became even more flustered.

 

From then on, it could only keep hesitating.

 

It would swing its sword then stop, attempt again only to hesitate repeatedly.

 

It had no choice.

 

Before it could even launch an attack.

 

No… more precisely, before it could even finish making such a ‘decision’.

 

I had already left that spot in advance.

 

“How long do you intend to continue this tedious match.”

 

[….]

 

Finally, hearing my words, the mannequin chose an ‘honorable’ end.

 

[…I have lost.]

 

Right.

 

Now it was time to end this room’s trial.

 

I sheathed the Feather Sword and spoke in a cold voice.

 

“You’ve killed the mood. I’m not in the mood to enjoy the banquet.”

 

The atmosphere turned chilly in an instant.

 

At the same time, the 「Announcer’s」 voice could be heard.

 

[… I’m, I’m sorry. It was my oversight for failing to stop the duel in time. I had no intention of spoiling your mood.]

 

The excited atmosphere had completely disappeared, leaving only cautiousness. The 「Announcer」 of the ball offered a sincere apology.

 

Thud, thud-.

 

Without another word, I walked across the banquet hall toward the exit on the opposite side.

 

The mannequins blocking my path quietly made way.

 

The Skeleton Orchestra also looked around uncertainly, unsure whether to continue playing, before finally carefully setting down their instruments.

 

Ding-!

 

〔You have cleared the Imperial Palace of Rashutku: ‘The Quiet Ball’.〕

 

The first room’s trial ended without incident.

 

* * *

 

Drip-.

 

As soon as we emerged into the other corridor, blood began flowing from my nose.

 

It was the aftermath of using hypersensitivity.

 

“──!”

 

Adelia hurriedly approached.

 

My hearing hadn’t returned yet since three hours hadn’t passed, but just by looking at the shape of her lips, I could guess what she was saying.

 

Adelia always said the same thing at times like this.

 

─L-Lord Gaon! Are you alright?

 

I waved my hand to indicate I was fine and simply wiped the nosebleed with my sleeve.

 

‘By the way…’

 

Now that the hypersensitivity was gone, a sense of alienation came rushing in.

 

It was certainly fortunate that the burning pain in my head had disappeared, but the world suddenly felt bland.

 

Just moments ago, I could feel every grain of the world as if breath was embedded in it, but now I felt trapped in a black and white photograph where all senses were dimly blurred.

 

It felt like I hadn’t completely escaped from the intense afterglow of hypersensitivity yet.

 

“Phew.”

 

I let out a short sigh, shook my head, and cleared my mind.

 

‘Anyway.’

 

Hypersensitivity. And the hyperintuition I gained from it. Everything exceeded my expectations. With this much, I should be able to break through the trials ahead.

 

‘Above all…’

 

…As long as Strawberry Latte is here, there shouldn’t be any major problems.

 

* * *

 

Meanwhile, at the same time.

 

The jade throne located deep within the imperial palace.

 

Emperor Tarosk was looking down at the crystal sphere with a perplexed expression.

 

[…]

 

The trials were designed to become increasingly difficult.

 

Once restrictions accumulated, they would inevitably reach their limit.

 

The moment they passed the burden to the other side, the trial would head toward catastrophe.

 

Unless they moved as one even in situations of extreme trust or complete communication breakdown… successfully breaking through this trial was virtually impossible.

 

This meant that no matter how skilled someone was, the structure couldn’t be handled by one person’s strength alone.

 

[But…]

 

Tarosk slowly furrowed his brow.

 

Clearly, the two groups that had entered the crossroads were in a completely severed state.

 

There wasn’t even a trace of attempting communication.

 

[…Why are they distributing the restrictions so precisely, as if they know everything?]

 

In this incomprehensible situation, Emperor Tarosk’s doubts only grew deeper.

 

* * *

 

[The Protagonist] : Can I pass over a random right arm seal for 1 hour to your side?

 

[Strawberry Latte] : (b˙◁˙ )b

 

[The Protagonist] : You’re at the 3rd room now, right? Pass the step limit to our side.

 

[Strawberry Latte] : (b˙◁˙ )b

 

[The Protagonist] : Random mana seal for 3 hours to your side?

 

[Strawberry Latte] : (˃̵͈᷄⌓˂̵͈᷅)

 

[The Protagonist] : OK

 

[The Protagonist] : Pass the vision seal to us.

 

[Strawberry Latte] : ☑

 

[The Protagonist] : Mana seal?

 

[Strawberry Latte] : ☒

 

[The Protagonist] : Speech seal?

 

[Strawberry Latte] : ☒

 

[The Protagonist] : Movement?

 

[Strawberry Latte] : ☑

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————