Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 162

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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 162

Episode 162. Jinmyeong Geopbang (2)

Do you understand now?

There was a reason why “The Owner of the Forge and the Flame” had set such strict conditions for Jinmyeong Geopbang.

Despite its pure white appearance, the Feather Sword was actually a weapon closer to a demonic blade.

Originally, there were no special conditions to awaken the Feather Sword’s ego. You could unleash its abilities simply by forming a contract.

However, after hundreds of masters died, “The Owner of the Forge and the Flame” couldn’t bear to watch and installed a safety mechanism.

I was the first to break through those conditions in thousands of years.

‘Actually… it would be impossible for anyone to handle the Feather Sword unless they were completely insane.’

But what about someone who had slain six divine beasts with a lowest-tier divine weapon?

That person could be said to have sufficiently met the qualification of being ‘insane.’

‘Well, that doesn’t mean I’m actually insane though.’

In the end, the conditions for Jinmyeong Geopbang weren’t created for the Feather Sword, but as a device to test the master’s qualifications.

‘Anyway.’

First impressions are important, after all.

If I don’t firmly establish dominance here, I’ll continue to be swept along by the Feather Sword’s pace. Just like the hundreds of other masters before me.

This moment, before we’ve formed a contract, was the only opportunity to establish dominance in our relationship.

While I was organizing such thoughts by myself.

[Excuse me?]

The Feather Sword spoke to me again.

She was staring at me intently with her snow-white eyes.

[Why aren’t you saying anything?]

“…”

[Was my explanation perhaps insufficient?]

Though her tone remained polite, a subtle irritation crept into her voice. She was clearly displeased with my lukewarm reaction.

[Then let me explain in a bit more detail.]

“…”

[If you form a contract with me, “Jinmyeong Geopbang” will be achieved.]

“…”

[You don’t need to understand exactly what that is. Just know that you’ll unlock abilities on a completely different level from what you’ve had so far.]

A gentle voice and dignified gestures.

However, the longer her explanation went on, the more a subtly arrogant nuance began to seep through.

As if she was certain there was no way I would refuse her proposal.

[My abilities are superior to any other divine weapon.]

“…”

[Actually, opportunities like this are really rare, you know? You won’t find a sword as pretty, smart, and capable as me anywhere else.]

“…”

[Of course, there are a few other weapons with egos besides me… but they’re all boring, hard to communicate with, and their abilities are mediocre.]

I knew that.

As I’ve said countless times, the Feather Sword’s “Jinmyeong Geopbang form” was undoubtedly the best among all blade-type items.

The reason I had taken the Feather Sword from the Ruin Guild’s Secret Collection Warehouse in the first place was to obtain that ability.

But even knowing this full well, I pretended to be indifferent and asked back.

“What would happen if I chose not to form a contract and left?”

[Huh…?]

Freeze-.

Perhaps it was an unexpected question, as the Feather Sword seemed slightly flustered.

She gave an awkward smile and answered a beat late.

[W-well… I would fail at “Jinmyeong Geopbang” and fall back into a deep sleep, I suppose?]

“And then?”

[My abilities would remain unlocked, and I’d continue to remain as the sword you were using before. Just a light and sturdy lump of scrap metal.]

“I don’t mind that.”

[What?]

Startled-.

The Feather Sword’s eyes widened. As if she couldn’t possibly understand my answer.

Regardless, I continued speaking calmly.

“I was satisfied with the original state too.”

[…]

“I never expected any additional abilities in the first place. So I don’t really see the necessity for a contract.”

A moment of silence flowed.

The Feather Sword’s expression began to gradually distort.

What had initially been a gentle smile became increasingly unnaturally twisted at the corners as time passed.

[W-wait. Wait a moment.]

She frantically waved her hands. It was the first moment her mask had cracked.

[I think you don’t understand… this is truly an incredible opportunity for you?]

“…”

[It’s a bit embarrassing to say this myself, but the abilities you can gain through “Jinmyeong Geopbang” are truly tremendous. It’s the power that hundreds of masters have desperately desired until now.]

“But they all died. Because of you.”

[Th-that’s…]

The Feather Sword, looking stung, began making excuses frantically. Her polite and elegant manner of speaking had completely disappeared.

[Yes. I’ll be completely honest with you. The reason I killed the other masters? It was because they were ugly. They were all hideous, that’s why.]

“…”

[You have no idea how disgusting it was to see those gorilla-like brutes with nothing but bulging muscles acting all high and mighty just because they held an ego sword. Seeing those ugly bastards touching me just made me irritated. So I killed them.]

“…”

[But you’re not ugly, are you? Your eyes are a bit sharp, but your features are refined, your shoulders are broad but your waist is narrow, and your overall proportions are excellent… Among all the humans I’ve met so far, you’re quite handsome. Looking at you is even somewhat pleasant.]

“…”

[At least for now, I have no particular reason to kill you, you know?]

Hearing those words, I nearly rubbed my face in exasperation.

‘Girl…’

You really can’t hide your true feelings…

‘For now’… that means you’ll kill me later if something happens that you don’t like…

‘Sigh.’

I sighed inwardly.

Still, it wasn’t such a bad situation.

Though it was absurd, seeing the Feather Sword come at me so desperately made it seem like I had almost won her over.

‘And well, there’s no particular reason to worry.’

As long as I had Mukgwe, I could block whatever nonsense the Feather Sword tried to pull in advance.

If necessary, I could just extract her abilities when needed and seal her away again.

‘Good. Then…’

Now it was time to finalize the contract and return to “Rashutku’s Nightmare.”

I also had to deal with the corrupted Mukyeonjiju and the Outer Gods soon.

Having finished that line of thought, I asked in a calm voice.

“You seem to have tremendous pride in yourself.”

[Yes.]

The Feather Sword nodded as if it were obvious. With a very confident expression.

[Until now, I was nothing but a weightless lump of scrap metal, but now it will be completely different. Not only will you gain a cute and smart companion to talk to, but on special days, you can even meet directly with my pretty main body like this. And most importantly… my ‘abilities’ are truly amazing.]

“But you still haven’t revealed what those abilities actually are.”

[…!]

“You’ve been spouting nothing but empty talk this whole time, so what exactly am I supposed to believe to form this contract?”

Feather Sword made an expression of realization.

She quickly offered an apology.

[Ah, that’s right. I didn’t mention the key point.]

“….”

[I’m sorry. As I said earlier, it’s been a long time since I’ve met someone….]

Soon her gaze began to slowly settle. Like when we first met, with an infinitely calm expression.

[By any chance, do you know the meaning of feathers?]

“….”

It was a sudden question.

But at the same time, it was also a line I had heard dozens of times already.

Right.

That was the prologue that was invariably repeated whenever Feather Sword’s 「Jinmyeong Geopbang」 event was triggered.

[Feathers are not merely light substances.]

A gentle voice filled the space.

At that moment, memories began to overlay reality.

Scenes from inside the game overlapped reality like a translucent film.

* * *

Feathers are not merely light substances.

The material that forms the wings of birds and angels.

The power to lift something up, to make it soar.

A symbol that leads earthbound beings to the sky.

Within them dwells the instinct of those who wish to shed the shackles of fate and take flight.

The will to break earthly bonds and reach beyond the heavens.

The desire to surpass mortal limitations and touch higher realms.

All those meanings and significance are contained within me.

My name is Yeonwoo .

Soft feather.

However, the name of wings that do not break their will toward the sky.

The power I possess cannot be simply explained by the category of ‘weapon’

It is direction.

An ascending trajectory.

A summit for reaching.

A threshold to overcome.

The one path that makes that journey possible.

If you declare your desire to become the master of that brilliant journey.

My power will become yours.

* * *

Ding-!

〔A contract with Yeonwoo has been established.〕

〔Feather Sword’s 1st 「Jinmyeong Geopbang」 is completed.〕

〔Feather Sword’s 1st authority is unlocked.〕

〔Reward: …has been obtained.〕

* * *

Crack-!

The sword blade pierced the fourth stingray.

At the same time, ‘Al’s movements began to become even more violent.

However, Pean could not continue thinking more deeply about its identity.

“…!”

Screeeeeech-!

With an ear-splitting sound, something massive rushed in.

Mukyeonjiju’s tentacles were flying in from all directions.

It wasn’t simply from one direction.

The atmosphere distorted in multiple directions as pressure bore down from all sides.

Sharp friction sounds cutting through the air. Wind currents being torn apart. Vibrations transmitted through the ground. And even the thick fishy smell rushing in.

Pean’s super senses vividly captured all of it.

Crash──!

The tentacles were targeting only Gaon.

However….

In the current situation, there was no way for Gaon to avoid that attack.

Because there was absolutely no angle for evasion.

“Gaon!”

Pean shouted urgently. His voice cracked.

“It’s danger…!”

Thud─! Thud, thud, thud─!

For a moment, the world seemed to stop. Everything flowed terrifyingly slowly.

The tentacles penetrated Gaon’s body.

The horrible sounds of skin being torn to shreds and bones being crushed. And even the gradually fading heartbeat.

Pean’s mind went blank.

“Wh, what…!”

He couldn’t believe it.

No matter how dangerous the attack was, Gaon who had predicted, avoided, and blocked worse things than this….

To be struck down so helplessly like that.

Pean’s hands trembled. His breathing became rapid. It felt like something deep in his chest was collapsing.

‘Wh, what on earth is this….’

“What are you getting so worked up about?”

“…!!”

Right then.

A familiar voice heard from behind.

Whoosh-!

Pean reflexively turned his head.

There, Gaon was standing.

Though he couldn’t probe deeply with his enhanced senses due to the ‘Al’ in his chest, he could still sufficiently detect Gaon’s distinctive scent and body temperature.

‘But….’

Whoosh-!

Pean turned his head again.

Clearly over there, the person pierced by tentacles and lying dead was also ‘Gaon’.

The same scent.

The same warmth.

The same presence.

At the fact that two perfectly identical entities existed simultaneously, Pean couldn’t help but be shocked.

“This is….”

“There’s no need to be surprised.”

Gaon simply answered as calmly as always.

“It’s just that one ‘vessel’ has fulfilled its mission.”

“…?”

* * *

Ding-!

…

〔The first authority of the Feather Sword is being unlocked.〕

〔Reward: You have acquired the authority skill 【Avatar Manifestation 】.〕

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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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