Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 172

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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 172

Episode 172. Rashutku’s Spoils of War (3)

MOD.

Short for Modification, it refers to new content created by modifying existing game data.

Additional dungeons created directly by players. Customization options. Interface improvements that enhance convenience. Or even total conversions that completely transform the game into something entirely different.

As such, mods were magical devices that could extend a game’s lifespan several times over.

‘However, Lost Elder is an exception. Touch even one thing and the entire code gets tangled up.’

Click-.

Muwolcha clicked her mouse while muttering to herself.

Roel operated perfectly on a foundation that transcended logic.

Even she, who had worked at a game company for over ten years, couldn’t fully understand Roel’s structure.

Even the slightest modification to a single piece of data would cause cascading errors in other systems.

An architecture as densely and complexly intertwined as a spider’s web.

Lost Elder was designed with such an abnormal structure that even a simple texture replacement could crash the entire game.

‘In many ways, I wonder if this was really made by humans.’

Due to her profession, Muwolcha had to experience countless games. Because of this, most games only looked like mere ‘products’ to her.

Things where the planning intentions were transparent, the developers’ compromises were evident, and ultimately the devices for profit were blatantly exposed.

But Roel was different.

It truly felt like another world existed. Every moment was unpredictable, and every detail was alive and breathing.

Not a game, but like another reality that existed somewhere.

This was why Muwolcha couldn’t let go of Roel for 12 years.

‘Still, no matter how much I examine it, I can’t understand it.’

Click-.

Since the game had such massive volume, the time required for each playthrough was also enormous.

Muwolcha had just finished her 190th playthrough.

Yes.

190th playthrough.

The fact that she had only managed this much despite playing consistently for 12 years clearly showed just how massive the volume of the game called Roel was.

Especially considering that more than half of those playthroughs were rushed through carelessly.

‘Anyway.’

Crack, crack-.

Muwolcha turned her head left and right while loosening her shoulders.

Thanks to finishing the hellish crunch period at work, she was finally able to get compensatory leave.

Two weeks of free time.

She planned to play Roel like crazy during this precious vacation.

“Now, shall we have some fun…?”

Click, click-.

There were aspects that changed for each player as their playthrough count increased.

For some, their strategies became more detailed and meticulous, while for others, their character concepts became increasingly creative.

And what about Muwolcha?

Her character appearances became more bizarre.

‘Roel’s character customization and NPC interactions are truly excellent.’

When playing with ugly and strange characters, NPCs would show aversion, and their favorability would hardly increase.

Especially Feather Sword would even try to kill its master.

The extraordinary events that resulted from this became an incredibly delightful source of entertainment for Muwolcha.

It was probably around the 90th playthrough.

That’s when she started enjoying this kind of eccentric gameplay.

Why?

‘Because this game can’t be cleared no matter what you do anyway.’

190 attempts. 190 failures.

At first, she really took it seriously. She crafted perfect strategies, chose optimal choices, and struggled desperately to save the world.

But the result was always the same.

Apocalypse.

Now all players had accepted that predetermined ending. Except for one person – Middle Finger.

Muwolcha also no longer seriously aimed for the ending. Instead, she decided to enjoy the game itself.

If the world was going to end anyway, she might as well have fun during the process.

“Let’s start with six eyes for now.”

Click-.

Muwolcha began creating a Martial Arts character.

The skin color was fluorescent purple. She used the dot feature to draw four additional eyes on the face.

Combined with the original two eyes, a bizarre face with a total of six eyes arranged crookedly was completed.

Seeing the purple monster that appeared on screen, Muwolcha couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Too bad. I was curious about Ppakgyu and Strawberry Latte’s reactions…”

Muwolcha shrugged her shoulders.

Then she made a resolution.

“I should add one more eye each new playthrough from now on.”

* * *

〔Hidden Message: Muwolcha has started her 191st playthrough.〕

〔Hidden Message: ‘9’ playthroughs remaining until world entry〕

* * *

After that, I continued to share rewards with Strawberry Latte step by step.

We needed to understand each other’s current situation to make future plans more smoothly.

“You obtained Hyperintuition? Wasn’t that a unique ability only the Sword Master of Delusion possessed?”

Yeah.

I thought so too, but apparently not.

Even after finishing our discussion about rewards, our conversation continued.

How to utilize the artifacts we collected from Rashutku’s treasury. How to modify our future plans.

After finishing all our conversations, it had become quite late.

Strawberry Latte pulled a spare blanket from the corner and began laying it out on the floor. Then he glanced at me and asked a question.

“Aren’t you going to sleep?”

“I still have something left to do.”

Swoosh-.

I said that while slightly lifting the Feather Sword sealed in the black box.

Strawberry Latte nodded as if he understood. With an expression that seemed somewhat pitying.

“Is that guy’s personality exactly the same as in the game?”

“Yeah.”

“…That must be tough. Good luck.”

As Strawberry Latte covered himself with the blanket and lay down, the room became quiet shortly after. Only his gentle breathing could be heard.

I sat on the edge of the bed. Now it was finally time to have a proper conversation with Yeonwoo the Feathered Sword.

Shing-!

The moment I drew the Feather Sword from the black box.

[Puha!]

Yeonwoo let out a rough breath.

Like someone who had been trapped underwater for a long time and barely managed to surface.

[Y-You… You clearly promised me the best treatment…!]

A voice mixed with sobbing echoed in my head. Though I couldn’t see her face, I could vividly picture her expression with tears welling up in her eyes.

[I behaved myself as promised! I didn’t say anything and quietly endured it until you returned to the hotel room!]

It was the moment when Yeonwoo’s protest reached its peak.

[But why did you lock me in that terrible scabbard? Why on earth? If you keep doing this, I can’t cooperate anymoooore…]

Swish, swoosh-.

Without saying a word, I took out the finest silk from my pocket and quietly began polishing the Feather Sword.

It was the very silk I had used to wrap the mandrake in Labyrinth Village.

Then Yeonwoo let out a melting sound and quickly became quiet.

[Nyaaah…]

Swish, swoosh-.

Actually, the blade itself was already clean.

Since it was a divine weapon, things like blood or dust wouldn’t stick to it anyway.

In the end, what I was doing now didn’t have any particularly practical meaning.

It was similar to petting a sulking companion cat’s head to soothe it.

Every time the soft silk glided along the blade, the Feather Sword made purring sounds like a cat.

‘Speaking of which…’

Seeing the finest silk naturally reminded me of one fact.

‘…I still have that supreme quality mandrake left to eat.’

The mandrake I had carefully wrapped in Labyrinth Village was still waiting in a corner of my subspace backpack.

But I planned to consume it later. Only after my constitution was completely stabilized and I could smoothly absorb mana would I be able to properly enjoy its true value.

Soon I would visit the Sisterhood of the Forsaken, and that opportunity would come. I also had to meet ‘that child’ I had been considering for a while.

Having organized my thoughts up to that point, I spoke to the Feather Sword again in my mind.

‘Yeonwoo.’

[…Nyeh?]

‘A sword is merely a tool. And a tool need only follow its master’s will without asserting its own ego.’

[What?]

Instantly, Yeonwoo snapped to attention and violently protested.

[Hey! I’m not just a simple sword, I’m an ego sword! I should be respected as an individual personality!]

‘I know that too. That’s why I put you in the scabbard.’

[…?]

‘If I hadn’t seen you as an individual from the beginning, there would have been no need to go through such trouble.’

Thud-.

At my paradoxical-sounding words, Yeonwoo was momentarily speechless.

Regardless, I continued my explanation.

‘If I had only regarded you as a simple tool, I would have shared all my stories without any hesitation. And I wouldn’t have taken responsibility for it.’

[…]

‘But you’re different. You have emotions and judgment. When I say something, you remember it, and sometimes you even worry unnecessarily.’

Yeonwoo quietly listened to my words.

‘That’s why I temporarily severed our mental connection through the scabbard. I had private thoughts to sort out, and they weren’t stories you needed to know.’

[…]

‘Of course, I admit the method was somewhat rough. It’s just that the situation was urgent and I had no choice.’

[Th-That’s…]

‘Similarly, the fact that I’ve used [Avatar Manifestation] hundreds of times, that I know your preferences to some extent, and that I’m acquainted with The Owner of the Forge and the Flame – all of these can’t be explained for the same reason.’

[…]

‘I’ll tell you someday. But now isn’t the right time. And this is also a choice made for your sake.’

The Feather Sword fell silent for a moment.

She seemed to be carefully mulling over what I had said.

[I’ve been thinking since we were at Rashutku Ruins…]

Before long, Yeonwoo cautiously spoke up.

[Is your concern also related to the Heavenly Laws?]

“That too is something I cannot answer.”

[…Ah.]

Disappointment seeped through Yeonwoo’s voice.

At the same time, she seemed to show some understanding.

It appeared she had made her own guess about why I was acting this way.

After pondering for a moment, Yeonwoo soon answered with a sighing voice.

[Fine.]

It was a slightly sulky tone, but she also seemed pleased somehow. Her pride appeared to be slightly boosted by the fact that I had even apologized out of consideration for her.

[Well, if that was the best choice for me…]

As expected.

Once you understand her personality, she’s surprisingly easy to handle.

[But from now on, stop shoving me into the scabbard without warning. At least give me a heads up. So I can prepare myself mentally.]

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

[Good then. Now please polish me with mineral oil.]

And so I had to spend until the next morning carefully polishing the blade while listening to the Feather Sword’s endless demands.

[Please be gentler here too. Don’t forget the tip of the blade either. Mmm… yes, right there.]

Swoosh, swish-.

Though I became sleep-deprived, it wasn’t completely meaningless time.

While slowly stroking the sword, I was able to carefully organize my future plans in my head.

Most importantly…

Ding-!

〔Your bond with Yeonwoo the Feathered Sword deepens.〕

〔Skill: [Avatar Manifestation] proficiency has increased. (1%→3%)〕

…Even the skill’s proficiency increased.

‘It definitely has an effect.’

Avatar Manifestation was a skill that became more powerful the deeper the bond with the Feather Sword.

If I could achieve this much effect just by polishing the sword, I should continue paying attention to it in the future.

Though it would take some time, in the long run, it was definitely worth the investment.

“Huh…?”

Just then, Strawberry Latte, who had woken up, looked at me with a surprised expression.

Seeing me carefully oiling the Feather Sword, he asked in a flustered voice.

“Lord Gaon? Don’t tell me you’ve been maintaining your sword all night? You must already be tired…”

I paused my hands for a moment and looked up.

Then, as if it were the most natural thing, I answered calmly.

“This sword is my most precious treasure.”

“…”

“So even if it means staying up all night and harming my health, I must treat it more preciously than my own body.”

Naturally, this was acting.

The script that Strawberry Latte and I had worked out last night.

Of course…

[…!]

…There was no way Yeonwoo the Feather Sword would know such details.

Woom, woom-!

A subtle vibration arose from the sword.

As if moved by my words, the blade trembled softly.

Ding-!

〔Your bond with Yeonwoo the Feathered Sword deepens.〕

〔Skill: 【Avatar Manifestation】 proficiency has increased. (3%→5%)〕

‘It’s rising quite quickly.’

I looked toward Strawberry Latte and smiled faintly.

He immediately responded with an emoticon.

Ding-!

[Strawberry Latte] : (b˙◁˙ )b

* * *

Time passed quickly.

And finally, the first day of the Dawnguard auction dawned.

Along with some shocking news.

“The Protagonist.”

“….”

“The Guild Master of the Ruin Guild is dead.”

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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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