Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 151

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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 151

 

Episode 151. Treasure of the Imperial Palace (2)

 

* * *

 

“But, hyung.”

 

Suddenly, a memory from the past came to mind.

 

A few months ago, shortly after Strawberry Latte had been possessed.

 

At that time, I had just finished explaining about the 【Soul of the Sword Master】.

 

After hearing about the insane skill that made one the strongest in the world for 0.01 seconds, Strawberry Latte asked a stupid question.

 

“If that skill is so overpowered… couldn’t you just keep raising mana-related stats and solve everything?”

 

Sigh-.

 

Hearing those words, I let out a sigh and shook my head.

 

There was no way Strawberry Latte didn’t know the answer to that. Even if there was several times the difference in Achievement points between us, second place was still second place.

 

For someone as smart as him to ask such a stupid question… it probably meant he just threw out the question without any thought.

 

Nevertheless, I answered him wholeheartedly for his sake.

 

Thwack-!

 

But first, I should give the eternal second place a good knock on the head.

 

“Aaah! Why are you hitting me!”

 

“Because you’re talking nonsense, you bastard. What’s with all this mana stat talk.”

 

Come to think of it, one hit probably wasn’t enough.

 

Since you’re second place, take two hits.

 

Thwack, thwack-!

 

“Aaah! Aaah!”

 

Anyway.

 

There’s one thing I’ve consistently emphasized since I first opened my eyes in this damn world.

 

Unlike physical abilities, mana is a stat where innate talent is most important.

 

In other words, without an inborn ‘foundation,’ no matter how hard you try, there’s ultimately a limit to growth.

 

But what about my mana stat?

 

〔Mana : 1〕

 

Right.

 

Nothing more, nothing less… exactly 1.

 

Investing in mana in this state would clearly yield too little return compared to the cost invested.

 

Of course, it’s not like there are no ways to increase mana even in this situation.

 

There were quite a few methods like studying advanced magic books, training with mana stones, or taking mana enhancement potions.

 

But the moment you choose that path, you have to give up time and resources that should be allocated elsewhere.

 

In short, the opportunity cost was too high.

 

“This game is really about how you roll the snowball from the early stages.”

 

“That’s right…?”

 

“So rather than delaying other growth to forcibly dig into the inefficient stat of mana, it’s better to focus on what has immediate and certain effects to quickly build up your weight class.”

 

“…”

 

“And on the foundation built that way, it’s much better to slowly work on mana later.”

 

No one knows Roel better than I do.

 

Experience and knowledge accumulated over 200 playthroughs, plus countless repeated trial and error.

 

That’s why I could be confident.

 

That the path I had chosen so far was the most effective growth route. That it was a near-perfect optimal choice without a single waste.

 

‘If I had focused only on mana from the beginning…’

 

I would have missed abilities like True Ritardan, Ultimate Auto-Parrying, unlocked swordsmanship talent, and Dragon Body.

 

Most importantly, I wouldn’t have been able to properly form relationships with important faction NPCs.

 

Could I have survived until now in that state?

 

No.

 

I guarantee I would have already followed in Cedric’s footsteps.

 

In other words, I would have died miserably.

 

At least he got cleanly cut in half and went out in one blow. I might have met an even more terrible end.

 

─Come to think of it, I don’t think I could have done what you did even with that skill.

 

─…

 

─As a glass cannon with an average base stat of 1, you’re probably the only one who could plan such a meticulous growth route, hyung?

 

Do you understand now?

 

That Strawberry Latte didn’t say those words for nothing.

 

I would build up a mana foundation bit by bit, but seriously focusing on that stat was something to do later.

 

Right now, prioritizing faster and more certain growth was the priority.

 

‘Of course…’

 

Still, there were occasionally irregular items that unconditionally raised stats regardless of whether you had a foundation or not.

 

Exceptional beings that allowed you to transcend the limits of innate talent, literally ignoring the rules.

 

‘Those items are really rare though.’

 

Even counting the entire game, you could count them on your fingers, and most of them were as difficult to obtain as plucking stars from the sky.

 

But…

 

What if one of them was sleeping right here, in The Imperial Treasury of Rashutku?

 

‘I have to get it by any means necessary.’

 

It was one of the reasons I came looking for the Ruins of Rashutku in the first place.

 

Whoooooosh──!

 

As the door opened, a dazzling golden light burst forth.

 

“Wow…”

 

The Koshat Siblings exclaimed in unison.

 

Everyone else had no choice but to gape in amazement.

 

The interior of the treasure room was a sight beyond imagination.

 

Massive shelves that seemed to reach the ceiling filled the walls, and between them were displayed all kinds of objects and artifacts.

 

Armor and weapons made of gold, accessories studded with various gems, scrolls written in ancient script, magical tools emanating mysterious auras.

 

All the wealth and knowledge that Rashutku, once the greatest empire, had accumulated over thousands of years was gathered here.

 

“Th, this place…”

 

Markus muttered in a trembling voice.

 

“…This place is heaven.”

 

Behind his glasses, his eyes held a mixture of awe and excitement. As a scholar, this was a sight he might see once in a lifetime, so that said it all.

 

Natalia was the same. Though she had returned to the body of a young girl, her small eyes burned with the instincts of a treasure hunter.

 

It was then that Emperor Tarosk spoke.

 

[This is the true legacy left by Rashutku.]

 

“…”

 

[However, remember this. The items you can take from this place are limited to exactly three.]

 

“…Th, three items?”

 

When Markus asked back regretfully, Tarosk nodded and continued.

 

[That is correct. That is the law of the empire, and the final gateway you must pass through.]

 

“…”

 

[Those blinded by excessive greed lose everything. A true successor must know how to select true value from among countless legacies.]

 

Hearing those words, I burst into laughter inwardly.

 

Let me say it again, this place wasn’t a real relic but merely a dungeon that ‘imitated’ the Rashutku Empire.

 

So there were restrictions on the Imperial Palace treasures that could be taken according to the system.

 

‘Of course, it doesn’t matter much.’

 

I had already decided on all the treasures I needed to take from the beginning.

 

“Hmm, if we can only take three things…”

 

Swish-.

 

At that moment, Selena trailed off and began subtly gauging the mood.

 

Her gaze alternated between the party members. Her expression clearly showed her contemplation about who would take what.

 

More precisely, it looked like an expression full of greed rather than contemplation.

 

“Wh-what…?”

 

Natalia reacted immediately.

 

Was it because she had already been burned by Selena several times?

 

Having witnessed that scheming look, she snapped back with displeasure.

 

“What’s with that look? Don’t tell me you’re planning to take your share? After stealing our Relic Investigation Team’s map?”

 

At those words, Selena sighed in frustration and retorted.

 

“Miss Koshat.”

 

“What!”

 

“Let me say it again, that was legitimate cooperation with no problems under the treaty.”

 

“What…?”

 

“Our Wintershield completed the map’s decoding according to the treaty, and we didn’t steal any artifacts. We even conducted joint exploration with you Relic Investigation Team members.”

 

“…”

 

While Natalia stammered with a speechless expression, Selena continued calmly.

 

“But what exactly did you do? Objectively speaking, wasn’t the Relic Investigation Team’s contribution to this dungeon conquest limited to providing the map and key?”

 

“…Wh-what did you say?”

 

“I recall receiving almost no help in the crucial parts like actual combat, strategy, or ancient language interpretation. Yet you still shamelessly plan to demand a share of the rewards?”

 

Natalia let out a hollow laugh as if she couldn’t believe it.

 

“Ha! What nonsense is she spouting now? Providing the map and key was the most important thing, wasn’t it? Without that, we couldn’t have even entered the ruins in the first place!”

 

“…”

 

“A-and… w-we’re… descendants of the Rashutku Imperial Family! So we rightfully should inherit the legacy!”

 

Natalia’s face turned slightly red.

 

She seemed embarrassed to call herself a descendant of the imperial family.

 

Of course, Selena answered without batting an eye.

 

“Even that bloodline was confirmed by Lord Gaon. Without him, you wouldn’t have even known you were descendants of the imperial family.”

 

“Wait a moment.”

 

At that point, Markus interjected. He adjusted his glasses and spoke in a calm voice.

 

“If we’re going by that logic, what did Wintershield do? Map and key decoding, gate opening, palace entry, and even passing the trials. Lord Gaon led all of these processes.”

 

“That’s…”

 

Pause-.

 

Selena closed her mouth for the first time.

 

Faced with Markus’s calm observation, she seemed unable to find any words to refute.

 

A heavy silence fell for a moment.

 

Before long, all the party members began looking at me cautiously.

 

Swoosh-.

 

Their expressions showed they had newly realized who held the final decision-making power.

 

“…?”

 

Snicker-.

 

For a moment, I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh from the absurdity.

 

No.

 

What’s with these guys?

 

Now they keep glancing at me whenever anything happens.

 

‘It’s not like they’re puppies watching their owner’s mood…’

 

Well, this is actually better. Given how the situation has turned out, no one can complain even if I give orders openly.

 

Having finished that thought, I declared in a firm voice.

 

“I’ll decide what treasures to take and how to distribute them myself.”

 

“…?”

 

Instantly, everyone showed signs of bewilderment.

 

They seemed surprised by the sudden unilateral declaration.

 

“Trust me. This is the best choice.”

 

“…”

 

“There are hundreds of treasures piled up here, but only three are truly useful. I’m the only one who can accurately pick them out.”

 

Hearing those words, Biyolf asked in surprise.

 

“H-how… how do you know that, Lord Gaon…?”

 

I answered calmly.

 

“Well, I’ve been to this treasure room many times before.”

 

“…!”

 

“…!”

 

Gasp-.

 

Everyone looked at me with shocked expressions.

 

Though they kept their mouths tightly shut, I could practically see all sorts of misunderstandings rolling around in their heads.

 

“…”

 

At that moment, Strawberry Latte looked at me.

 

With sharp eyes like she was glaring at a con artist.

 

‘Geez… Strawberry…?’

 

I didn’t lie this time either, did I?

 

I’ve been in and out of this place dozens of times while playing the game.

 

“…”

 

Feeling somewhat awkward for no reason, I turned my gaze away.

 

‘Anyway.’

 

I quickly moved around the treasure room, gathering the necessary items.

 

One old compass, one mysterious mirror radiating mystical energy, and a pendant containing a small amount of liquid.

 

The Imperial Palace’s treasure room certainly had countless high-performance items, but most could be replaced with other things.

 

However, these three were different.

 

They were such excellent items that they were completely irreplaceable.

 

‘The experience from 200 playthroughs wasn’t in vain.’

 

With this, all preparations were complete.

 

‘Though I’m a bit worried…’

 

Clench-.

 

I gripped the pendant with all my strength.

 

‘…Now it’s really time to wake her up.’

 

I hope the silence spell is as perfect as “The Owner of the Forge and the Flame” guaranteed.

 

Please.

 

* * *

 

Thud, thud-.

 

The dark underground chamber.

 

Puppet Master Batu appeared with the sound of weary footsteps.

 

“Ah, Batu.”

 

The Golem Knight glanced at him and muttered in a low voice.

 

“I heard the news. Truly regrettable.”

 

“Huh, huh? What, what, what…?”

 

Batu asked back with a flustered expression.

 

He seemed genuinely bewildered, not knowing what this was about.

 

At that moment, the tentacle woman beside him smiled seductively.

 

“Hehehe, you’re pretending not to know because you’re embarrassed?”

 

“…?”

 

“Didn’t you confess to Dorico Shiro and get rejected?”

 

“No way!! Who spread this ridiculous rumor again!!”

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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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