Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 155

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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 155

 

Episode 155. Reenactment of Annihilation (3)

 

* * *

 

“Ah, you’re saying we have to face an Evil Deity?”

 

[That’s right.]

 

As Tarosk’s explanation ended, Adelia’s expression hardened stiffly.

 

Her hands trembled endlessly.

 

Her face instantly drained of color, and her eyes widened in disbelief.

 

It was the expression of someone who had just heard the most terrible news in the world.

 

“Not Worshippers of Evil Gods, or the Five Nightmares, or even apostles…”

 

Adelia continued speaking with difficulty, her voice choked.

 

“…You’re saying we have to directly face the main body of an Evil Deity?”

 

A brief silence.

 

A breathless quiet flowed for a moment.

 

The air inside the treasure room grew even heavier.

 

“Does that truly make sense as a trial?”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

It wasn’t just Adelia who showed a grim reaction.

 

Selena Servich brought her hand to her mouth with a pale face, and Biyolf gripped his staff tightly while frowning his deeply wrinkled forehead.

 

The Koshat Siblings also looked at each other, unable to hide their bewildered expressions.

 

Indeed, among all the trials they had heard of so far, this was the first with such desperate content.

 

“No matter how much the Evil Deity’s trial was created to kill challengers, this is going too far.”

 

To fight against a god.

 

How was this any different from predetermined death?

 

Hearing Adelia’s protest, Tarosk answered in a low voice.

 

[That’s why I told you.]

 

“…”

 

[Passing that trial is virtually impossible.]

 

Kugugugu-.

 

Tarosk turned his head to look at the sealed door.

 

Since the two Sword Masters had entered the trial, the ominous energy beyond the door was growing increasingly fierce.

 

As if something massive and terrible was awakening from sleep inside.

 

[Even so, Gaon chose that path, knowing what kind of ‘end’ that trial meant.]

 

“That’s…”

 

Adelia’s lips trembled.

 

Right.

 

What would change now by saying anything about Gaon’s choice?

 

The situation had already unfolded.

 

Even if his judgment seemed reckless, this was irreversible.

 

“…”

 

Clench-.

 

Adelia clenched her fists tightly.

 

She had always held absolute faith in Gaon.

 

Even in seemingly impossible situations, she had never doubted once, and believed that any decision he made was unconditionally right.

 

‘But…’

 

No matter how great a Heretic Gaon was, no matter how many miracles he had performed so far.

 

The opponent was a ‘god.’

 

Such a disaster that even The Great Ones had no choice but to flee.

 

So the anxiety slowly rising from one corner of her heart was unavoidable.

 

The reality that Gaon and Pean had jumped into that terrible nightmare was finally beginning to feel real.

 

“But…”

 

Just then.

 

A cautious but calm voice broke the silence.

 

“There’s no absolute need to ‘kill’ the Evil Deity, is there?”

 

“…?”

 

“…?”

 

Whoosh-.

 

Everyone turned their heads.

 

A mage belonging to Wintershield, a young man with curly pink hair and purple eyes.

 

Taragon.

 

While all the other companions were worried, only he showed an indifferent expression.

 

Emperor Tarosk slowly nodded his head.

 

[That’s correct.]

 

“…!”

 

[The trial is focused on ‘reenacting’ the nightmare of that day.]

 

Tarosk continued speaking.

 

[While the original mission is to prevent that destruction, it means they can come out alive just by surviving the disaster.]

 

“Ah!”

 

Hope bloomed on Adelia’s face.

 

There was no need for a direct confrontation with the god?

 

Then…

 

“There’s plenty of possibility for The Protagonist to return alive.”

 

Adelia’s voice carried a relieved emotion, and the others also began to show signs of relief.

 

While a direct battle with an Evil Deity was nearly impossible, considering Gaon’s abilities, there was expectation that at least survival would be possible.

 

The atmosphere of the treasure room, which had been filled with despair, gradually softened. The heavy silence was slowly being colored with hope.

 

“…”

 

However, there was exactly one exception.

 

Only Strawberry Latte was different.

 

In his purple eyes silently watching the sealed door, there was a completely different emotion from the others.

 

Not relief or comfort…

 

Solemnity.

 

And conviction.

 

* * *

 

“We’re going to kill the Evil Deity.”

 

As soon as my words ended, Pean responded with a firm voice.

 

“That’s impossible.”

 

There wasn’t a hint of hesitation in his voice.

 

“Many have challenged god-slaying so far, but not a single one has succeeded.”

 

“…”

 

“Moreover, trying to stand against an existence that even the Pantheon has abandoned is suicide.”

 

A tone filled with deep conviction.

 

Pean, who had briefly experienced the Ancient Twilight, knew well how absolute the existence called gods was.

 

Kuuuuung-!

 

Just then, the roar of another building collapsing came from far away. It was the sound of the brilliant legacy of the Rashutku Empire turning to ash one by one.

 

I glanced at that scene and turned my head back toward Pean.

 

“Then why did you follow me and enter this trial?”

 

Hesitation-.

 

Pean’s movement stopped for a moment.

 

I continued speaking.

 

“You’re also one of The Primordial Beings, aren’t you? From the conversation with Emperor Tarosk, you must have already guessed what this trial was about.”

 

“….”

 

“If you knew it was an insurmountable trial, couldn’t you have just refused my request from the beginning?”

 

At those words, Pean closed his mouth.

 

Silence flowed for a while.

 

Only the screams of people heard from afar and the thunderous sound of the empire’s legacy crumbling filled the stillness.

 

The smell of charred blood and the stench of burning flesh mercilessly tormented my nostrils.

 

“Well….”

 

Finally, Pean opened his heavy mouth.

 

“The Sword Master’s Pact binds us, doesn’t it? If you die, I won’t be safe either.”

 

“….”

 

“Moreover, on the night after the Holy Judgment ended, I swore to fight alongside you against ‘that’ enemy who even you would struggle to face.”

 

There was an indescribable emotion in Pean’s voice.

 

“Most importantly.”

 

After pausing briefly, he quietly added.

 

“In such an absurd situation, I wanted to see with my own eyes what kind of miracle you, Gaon, would show again.”

 

Right.

 

I already knew.

 

Pean hadn’t opposed my opinion.

 

He had simply given a realistic warning about how reckless the act of “divine slaying” was.

 

“From the moment I entered this place… it’s no different from deciding to follow whatever you want to do, Gaon.”

 

At those words, I smiled faintly.

 

“Interesting.”

 

“…?”

 

“Unfortunately, your wish will never come true.”

 

Pean’s expression twisted.

 

“What do you….”

 

“You can’t see, so how are you going to witness a miracle with your own eyes?”

 

“…Ah.”

 

For a moment, Pean was speechless. He touched the bandages covering his eyes and soon burst into laughter.

 

“Ahaha! It’s just a figure of speech. Gaon, even someone as serious as you knows how to joke?”

 

“…?”

 

What’s he saying.

 

I joke often too.

 

I just don’t do it in front of you because I’m worried about breaking character.

 

“Follow me.”

 

I turned around sharply and commanded in a deliberately indifferent voice.

 

And Pean looked slightly bewildered.

 

Even at this moment, the Evil Gods were driving the empire to destruction beyond the fortress walls, yet I was heading inside the building, which puzzled him.

 

“What are we going back inside for? Wouldn’t it be faster to just jump down from here?”

 

“….”

 

Yeah, no way.

 

A superhuman like you might land gracefully from a 10-story height.

 

But if I tried that, a pancake (※100% Gaon ingredients※) would be nicely spread across the Rashutku ground.

 

And most importantly….

 

“Before facing the Evil Gods, there’s something I need to do first.”

 

“Something you need to do first?”

 

“Since we’ve come back to the past anyway, shouldn’t we do everything we need to do?”

 

“…?”

 

“I’ve always thought the aquarium in the Imperial Palace was quite beautiful.”

 

Pause-.

 

Pean stared at me blankly.

 

It was truly an expression like he was looking at some crazy person.

 

It feels strange to receive such a cold stare from an elf who has lived for thousands of years.

 

“An aquarium? That joke wasn’t very good, Gaon.”

 

“I’m serious.”

 

“…This is also a joke, right?”

 

“I said I’m serious.”

 

“I understand. Since it didn’t work, you’re pushing through with momentum. You have quite a talent for humor. I’ll give you 82 points.”

 

“I’m telling you I’m serious….”

 

There’s a hidden piece sleeping there.

 

* * *

 

Fortunately, Pean followed me without further complaints.

 

Although he outwardly acted like he didn’t understand, he must surely know that I had other intentions.

 

Murmur murmur-.

 

While walking along the corridors of the Imperial Palace, we encountered bustling retainers here and there.

 

Watching them move busily in the urgent situation, I was able to confirm one fact. Namely, that no one suspected us.

 

“The Protagonist! Pean! We’ll depart first!”

 

“May God’s blessing be with you both!”

 

Rather, several knights even took the time to greet us politely despite their urgency.

 

“Strange.”

 

Pean spoke cautiously.

 

“We’re clearly outsiders, so why does everyone regard us as members of the empire?”

 

“It’s a characteristic of the trial.”

 

I explained simply while looking ahead.

 

“It naturally integrates challengers as members of that era.”

 

While hurriedly running along the corridors of the Imperial Palace, I suddenly heard a familiar voice from far away.

 

“Brother!”

 

It was Emperor Tarosk’s voice.

 

“Take the people and retainers and flee immediately! There’s no more time to delay!”

 

“Th-then what about you, brother….”

 

“I’ll hold back their advance! In the meantime, you run as far as you can! Hurry!”

 

Two brothers were having an urgent conversation on one side of the corridor.

 

Tarosk’s appearance in massive armor was exactly the same as the thought-form.

 

And beside him stood a man of ordinary human size.

 

The younger of the twin emperors.

 

It was Aurellius Tarosk.

 

“But brother…!”

 

“Aurellius! There’s no more time!”

 

The two brothers exchanged a few more words, but eventually Tarosk took up his massive greatsword and led the knights toward the battlefield.

 

The younger brother left behind hesitated in that spot for a while, then finally bit his lips tightly and began to set out on the evacuation route.

 

“Ah!”

 

Right then, spotting me and Pean at the end of the corridor, his eyes widened in surprise.

 

“Lord Gaon! Lord Pean!”

 

Lord .

 

As you could tell from that title, we were being regarded as holding a high position that even the emperor couldn’t treat lightly.

 

Since this was a trial linked to reality, it seemed we had been transferred here with the status of ‘Heretics’ from the ancient empire.

 

In trials, you had to make good use of every single small hint like this.

 

‘Anyway.’

 

I spoke to Aurellius who was running toward us urgently.

 

“Guide us to the aquarium, Aurellius.”

 

“…?”

 

“We need you. That place can only be opened by someone of imperial bloodline.”

 

Hesitate-.

 

Aurellius froze for a moment.

 

It was the exact same reaction as Pean.

 

Doubt was clearly written all over his face, as if wondering why we would look for an aquarium in this urgent situation.

 

I added in a firm voice.

 

“There, the only method that can eliminate the divine being from another world lies dormant.”

 

* * *

 

Ding-!

 

[Kongiabum] : Hey, Ppakgyu.

 

[Kongiabum] : This is Mingyu hyung who greeted you at yesterday’s meetup. I got your contact from Muwolcha.

 

[The Protagonist] : Hello.

 

[The Protagonist] : The puppy in your profile pic is cute.

 

[Kongiabum] : Good boy good boy.

 

[Kongiabum] : Anyway. I’m really sorry for contacting you suddenly….

 

[Kongiabum] : What’s the method to advance the Feather Sword Jinmyeong Geopbang?

 

[The Protagonist] : Excuse me?

 

[Kongiabum] : Strawberry Latte and Muwolcha absolutely won’t tell me because they’re afraid of losing their rankings. Please just give me a little hint.

 

[Kongiabum] : If I just know this, I can beat those guys and reach 2nd place, you know? I’m satisfied with that! I don’t even hope for 1st place….

 

[The Protagonist] : Take the Feather Sword, go to Rashutku Aquarium, and slice some live fish for sashimi.

 

[Kongiabum] : ?

 

[Kongiabum] : Don’t joke around.

 

[Kongiabum] : Rashutku? There’s no ■■ there in the first place, right?

 

[The Protagonist] : I’m serious though.

 

[Kongiabum] : That’s disappointing

 

[Kongiabum] : Even you’re doing this?

 

[Kongi’s Dad] : Okay, I will definitely break the 1st-3rd place cartel someday.

 

[The Protagonist] : No, I’m really serious?

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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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