Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 170

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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 170

Episode 170. Spoils of Rashutku (1)

[The Empire owes you all a tremendous debt.]

Kuwoong-.

In front of the door leading outside the Imperial Palace. Emperor Tarosk knelt on one knee.

He began to show us respect, even using honorific language.

[I don’t know how to convey this gratitude.]

“….”

[Not only did you understand my brother Aurellius’s will, but you even eliminated the remnants of the Evil Gods… I’m truly grateful. Thanks to you, this land could escape from the curse that weighed it down.]

The intimidating presence he showed when we first met had long since vanished.

The last emperor of Rashutku bowed his head deeply and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to us.

[Though you took compensation from the Imperial Palace treasure vault, that alone would not be sufficient.]

Seuryuk-.

Emperor Tarosk rummaged through his robes and soon pulled something out.

An old key and a map.

It had the exact same form as the opener we used when entering the Rashutku Ruins.

However, its aura was much denser and heavier.

“Th, this is…?”

Woong, wowoong-!

Natalya Koshat swallowed nervously and her voice trembled.

She too must have instinctively felt it. That this object was extraordinary.

Just then, Emperor Tarosk began his explanation.

[This place where you stand, Rashutku, is merely a parallel world that recreates the past.]

“…?”

[The true ruins destroyed by the Evil Gods… are buried deep in dust somewhere on the Continent.]

That’s right.

As I said from when we first set foot here, this place wasn’t the ‘real’ Rashutku.

An ancient civilization built thousands of years ago, one destroyed by Evil Gods at that, couldn’t possibly remain in such perfect condition, could it?

[Take it.]

“….”

[This opener will guide you to the real ruins.]

In that sense, the key and map that Tarosk handed over were guides that would lead us to the true Rashutku Ruins.

[Of course, unlike this place, those ruins are an extremely gloomy and dangerous place. It’s a location where only unredeemed despair remains.]

Tarosk’s voice sank low.

[An empire driven to its end by Evil Gods. A city that became ruins without anyone to save it. And land steeped with the resentment of people who died without ever receiving salvation.]

The Rashutku we experienced was merely a recreation of the past. In other words, it was close to an ideal world that beautifully restored a moment of the forgotten empire.

But the real ruins were different.

A land that couldn’t escape the shadow of destruction, a place soaked in despair. A reality abandoned without anyone receiving salvation.

That’s right.

The salvation that Pean and I achieved within the trial was nothing but an illusion.

The past that has flowed cannot be changed.

History once twisted cannot be reversed, and the world was already racing toward its predetermined end.

[However.]

It was right then that Emperor Tarosk spoke.

[You have the qualifications to go there. Even if it’s ruins that couldn’t avoid destruction, with those eyes, with that heart, you will surely discover something.]

Conviction dwelled in his gaze.

[The past cannot be changed. However, those who achieved salvation even within illusion might be able to lead the future that has not yet arrived down a different path.]

Seuryuk-.

I received the opener from Emperor Tarosk.

The cold touch of the key and the rough parchment texture of the map seeped into my fingertips.

[I ask of you.]

“….”

[Like your first resolve to remain on this land….]

His gaze deepened.

[…Please, protect this world to the very end.]

* * *

Thud, thud-.

After finishing their farewell with Emperor Tarosk, the party emerged from the Imperial Palace.

While walking along the path through the ruins, no one could open their mouth.

Was it because of the weight of the final conversation with the emperor? Or was it due to fatigue from the long and arduous journey?

Only quiet footsteps echoed through the silent ruins.

[Myup myup. Myweop.]

Occasionally Mukyoo made small crying sounds, but even those quickly disappeared into the silence.

They passed through the massive gate and descended the long staircase.

And when they finally reached the end of the stairs, Gaon pulled out a key from his robes. The opener he had used when first entering these ruins.

Click, kiiiiik-!

When he carefully turned the key against the empty air, space tore and split apart. And through that gap, a familiar scene was revealed.

It was the hotel suite.

Seuryuk-.

People passed through the gap one by one. Those who arrived in the hotel room each let out sighs of relief.

It was the moment when the long yet short exploration of the Rashutku Ruins came to an end.

While everyone was catching their breath, Gaon, who passed through the gap in the air last, spoke in an indifferent voice.

“As promised, we’ve returned before the secret auction begins.”

“….”

“….”

Clatter-.

Markus set down his heavy bag on the floor.

Natalia also organized her luggage and clothes while looking at Gaon with a slightly dazed expression.

‘Honestly….’

At first, she had thought it was absurd.

Usually, just traveling to ruins would take several days.

Moreover, exploring that place, safely returning, and then immediately participating in Dawnguard’s secret auction was practically impossible by common sense.

But….

Gaon really had returned here before the auction started, just as promised.

Of course, this schedule was different from ordinary ruin exploration. Rashutku was a parallel world, and the method of traveling there was special too.

But even considering all those variables, she couldn’t dare ignore Gaon’s achievements.

Devising the optimal route in a short time, traversing every dangerous corner of the ruins, yet safely leading the entire party out.

All those accomplishments were possible thanks to Gaon.

Having finished that train of thought, Natalia slowly opened her mouth.

“Although conducting such a large-scale exploration without headquarters’ permission would be quite burdensome for me….”

Natalia paused hesitantly for a moment, then lifted her head with a resolute expression to look at everyone in the room.

“I have no regrets. I’m truly grateful. Thanks to you, not only could we safely complete the exploration and gather historical materials, but we could also secure ‘experience’ that no other scholar has been able to approach.”

Her gaze turned toward the Wintershield expedition members, especially Selena Servich.

“Professor Servich. Although our organizations have maintained an uncomfortable relationship for over ten years… we truly received much help with this matter. Both personally and representing my organization, I deeply thank you.”

“….”

“And The Protagonist… I don’t know how to express my gratitude. In truth, we merely followed in your footsteps, yet we were able to achieve such tremendous results.”

Natalia bowed deeply at the waist.

“Despite bearing the name of the Relic Exploration Society, we’ve done nothing else and feel nothing but shame. Once again, I express gratitude on behalf of all members of the Relic Exploration Society.”

After catching her breath for a moment, she added in a serious voice.

“In that regard… if you have time after this auction ends, I would like to invite all of you to our headquarters. The Director also said he would very much like to meet and greet all of you.”

* * *

‘As expected, this is how it goes.’

Hearing Natalia’s words, I fell into thought for a moment.

In fact, there was exactly one thing the Koshat Siblings had actually done in this exploration. Namely, proving their bloodline.

Of course, that alone could be considered playing a considerable role.

The recognition from Emperor Tarosk, and gaining bloodless entry to the treasure vault.

But they hadn’t been much help with the actual ‘exploration’ itself.

Nevertheless, I answered in a calm voice.

“I’ll be sure to visit. We’ll need the Relic Exploration Society’s help for the next exploration too.”

“…!”

That time would be a journey of an entirely different dimension from this one.

Rather than simply passing through the hidden world, we’d have to navigate through actual ruined wastelands.

Extensive knowledge and experience with ruins would be far more important than combat power.

‘In the game too, you couldn’t progress at all without the Relic Exploration Society.’

Wasn’t the Rashutku ruins exploration said to be the first start of the snowball effect that strengthened relationships with the Relic Exploration Society?

The material rewards gained from this exploration were tremendous. From ability increases to new skills. All of them directly connected to my growth.

But as I’ve said many times, the most important thing in Roel is human resources.

Securing a solid connection with the Relic Exploration Society through the opener leading to true ruins. This could be called the real harvest of this exploration.

Of course, the Koshat Siblings would simply be happy. My words implied that I would journey with them on the next exploration too.

“We’ll divide the rewards obtained from the Imperial Palace treasure vault when we get there.”

“…!”

At those words, the Koshat Siblings’ expressions brightened considerably.

“Yes!”

Both answered almost simultaneously.

The first meeting with the Relic Exploration Society ended smoothly like that.

* * *

“Let’s rest now. Until the secret auction begins.”

Nod-.

Everyone nodded at my words.

Perhaps because they had finished a long exploration, everyone looked quite exhausted.

“Then we’ll head back now. Thank you so very much once again.”

The Koshat Siblings politely bowed and gathered their belongings.

“See you at the auction, Gaon.”

Pean also left with just a brief word. Through the window, leaving the perfectly good door alone.

I’d felt this since he suggested jumping off the palace balcony, but I don’t understand why this guy likes falling so much.

‘Anyway.’

The others also headed to their respective rooms.

The same members who had been together on the first day.

“Berillov, finish the exploration report on these ruins before you sleep. It’s best to write it right away while your memories are still fresh from the trip. Oh, and organize the Mukyoo sketches once more too.”

“…Yes.”

“Right. Clean up the structural layout of the palace once more as well.”

“Yes? Uh, well…”

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

“…It’s nothing. Rest comfortably, Professor.”

Isaac Berillov answered with a haggard face.

He was already exhausted from the exploration, and now Professor Biyolf was assigning him various tasks as soon as they returned, so he seemed completely worn out.

Meanwhile, Selena and Adelia, who would normally exchange words and engage in psychological warfare, seemed to lack even the energy for that as they silently trudged off to their rooms.

Creak, thud-.

I also returned to my room with Strawberry Latte.

After washing away the accumulated fatigue with a warm shower, I sat on the bed and began organizing everything I had gained from this exploration one by one.

The artifacts I had brought from the Imperial Palace treasure vault.

The Mukyoo that hatched from the Easter egg.

Yeonwoo the Feathered Sword, who had completed the True Name Revelation.

The opener I received from Emperor Tarosk.

‘And lastly…’

The System Messages I hadn’t properly checked yet.

Right.

Finally, I had the leisure to examine all of these things carefully.

[Excuse me?]

Just then, Yeonwoo the Feathered Sword, who had been quiet until now, spoke up.

[Will you explain now? How do you use my abilities so freely? How did you know my preferences? And how do you know the person who created me?]

“…”

[As promised, first wipe me down with microfiber cloth, apply premium mineral oil, and let’s have a slow conversation… Mmph!]

“There’s something I need to do first. Let’s talk about that later.”

[No! Just because of that, you don’t need to go this far, mmph! Mmph! Mmmph! Hey, you son of a…!]

Click-.

When I activated the silence function of the Mute Chest, Yeonwoo the Feathered Sword became quiet.

I felt sorry, but it couldn’t be helped.

The conversation I was about to have with Strawberry Latte contained much that the Feathered Sword shouldn’t hear.

Things like the possession, or game knowledge.

To comfortably share such stories, I needed to block interference from others in advance.

[Mukyuu.]

Of course, Mukyoo was an exception. This one was directly connected to the Heavenly Realm anyway, so it would know everything.

“Phew.”

Just then, Strawberry Latte came out after washing.

Wearing pajamas, he shook his wet hair with a towel and asked.

“What reward did you receive from the trial? Even if it’s just a shell, it’s still an Outer God. And if it was a first clear, the reward should have been quite special.”

“I was just about to check.”

Ding-!

I brought up the notification window and began examining the contents one by one.

‘First…’

Starting with the most noticeable thing.

My level had risen to 50.

This was thanks to significant increases in physical stats including strength, agility, and stamina.

It must be because I personally experienced that strike that directly cut down an Outer God.

And hearing these words of mine, Strawberry Latte’s eyes widened in shock.

“What did you say…?”

“Why are you surprised.”

“Wait, hold on. You broke through the level 49 barrier in one go? Does that make sense?”

“It does.”

Actually, such a reaction wasn’t unreasonable.

Level 49 was a section difficult enough to break through that it was called the first ‘wall of despair’. Even in the game, it was the first point where players’ growth completely stalled.

Breaking through this in one go could truly be called a tremendous achievement.

However….

“It’s still too early to be shocked.”

“Pardon?”

…The truly surprising thing was something else entirely.

The newly acquired skill.

An ability I had never seen even once during 200 playthroughs of Roel.

First of all, even its name was terrifying.

“What is it…?”

At Strawberry Latte’s question, I paused for a moment before answering.

“Formless Sword .”

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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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