Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 175

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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 175

Episode 175. Secret Auction (3)

What?

Considering Feather Sword’s personality, I thought she would immediately suggest killing Batu.

I don’t understand why she’s suddenly trying to stop me now.

‘Yeonwoo.’

[Yes.]

‘Why are you saying not to kill that bastard?’

To my question, Yeonwoo answered matter-of-factly without a moment’s hesitation.

[Well, doesn’t he look quite handsome?]

“…?”

What kind of nonsense is this.

[His appearance is too good to kill.]

“….”

She’s still a face-chaser as always.

But, well. Harten Ryu was indeed quite a handsome man.

The face revealed when he removed his mask.

Sharp yet gentle features with calm yet deep eyes.

Despite being an NPC with little screen time, he always ranked high in male character appearance polls, which said it all.

As a side note, the unchanging first place was Pean without his bandages.

‘Anyway.’

Shaking off useless thoughts, I spoke to Feather Sword again.

‘Yeonwoo.’

[Yes.]

‘That bastard is Puppet Master Batu, who I mentioned this morning.’

[What?]

For a moment, I could feel Feather Sword’s confusion.

Regardless, I continued my explanation.

‘That handsome guy is just his puppet. And Batu’s real body is famously hideous.’

[Wait a moment.]

Feather Sword’s voice instantly turned cold.

[So you’re saying….]

After a brief pause, she slowly began to piece together the situation.

[An Evil God worshipper killed a handsome man and couldn’t overcome his appearance complex, so he’s wearing that shell and pretending to be good-looking?]

Well….

It probably wasn’t specifically because of an appearance complex that he wore Harten Ryu’s shell.

But if you wanted to stretch the interpretation, you could see it that way.

‘Close enough.’

Upon hearing my answer, Feather Sword immediately growled.

[Should I kill him, Master?]

Wait, didn’t you just tell me to hold back?

* * *

‘D-damn….’

Puppet Master Batu swallowed his curse and struggled desperately.

Though he was smiling leisurely on the outside, his inner state beneath the shell was already frozen with fear.

And for good reason.

Gaon had been staring at him silently from the very beginning.

Facing that eerie gaze, all sorts of ominous thoughts chained together in his mind.

‘Could my identity have been exposed? He hasn’t figured everything out already, has he?’

No matter how precisely crafted a puppet was, if the opponent was perceptive, they might notice something strange.

Above all, he couldn’t forget the pain from Gaon’s sword.

“You’re quite perceptive.”

Just then, Gaon spoke.

His voice was blunt, but there was a hint of admiration mixed in.

“Befitting the Cheonghe Trade Association Chairman, you recognized that I’m a Sword Master at a glance.”

“…!”

For a moment, relief flashed across Batu’s face.

‘Ah! As expected!’

He didn’t figure out my identity!

Finally relieved, Batu began to snicker inwardly.

‘Well, that makes sense.’

This was a puppet he had put tremendous effort into creating.

It was a masterpiece that perfectly reproduced everything from Harten Ryu’s scent to his speech patterns, even his memories from life and subtle habits.

His confidence grew more and more.

Right.

Even Karayan of the Ruin Guild had been completely fooled by his eloquence, so how would Gaon be any different?

‘This blockhead bastard! A Sword Master who only knows swords!’

While Batu was pleased inside, he outwardly acted the part of a leisurely and dignified merchant.

“Please don’t worry.”

Batu bowed his head politely and continued speaking.

“I will absolutely not mention this to anyone else. Rather, I wonder if I committed the rudeness of directly asking about your identity as a Sword Master….”

“Enough, get to the point.”

“…?”

Thud-.

When Gaon cut him off, Batu’s words were instantly blocked.

Get to the point?

Actually, his purpose in approaching Gaon was just one thing.

‘I was just testing the waters…? Whether he could see through my puppet or not.’

Of course, he had achieved his purpose now. He had confirmed that Gaon couldn’t detect his puppetry at all.

However, since he couldn’t say that directly, Batu carefully chose words that Harten Ryu would likely say.

“I simply wanted to pay my respects to the most skilled swordsman on the Continent and a Heretic who follows the will of The Great Ones.”

“Is that all?”

“…Haha, of course not.”

Batu smiled carefully.

Then he continued speaking smoothly while hiding his true intentions.

“If I could form a connection with a Sword Master in such a glorious setting, I couldn’t ask for more as a merchant. That’s all.”

In other words, he was saying he approached because Gaon was an important person.

A method of thoroughly lowering himself, excessively praising the Sword Master, and subtly revealing his desire to form a friendship.

It was also blatant flattery meant to soften Gaon’s mood even slightly.

But Gaon showed not the slightest change in expression and answered calmly.

“I see.”

“…?”

“I’ll remember your name. Now go.”

A cold and cynical remark.

His voice clearly conveyed that he didn’t want to waste any more time.

‘What, what? Why is this bastard so blunt?’

Hesitation-.

Batu froze solid.

It was a completely different reaction than expected.

If someone had approached him saying they wanted to build a friendship with the Puppet Master, one of the great Five Nightmares?

Surely Batu would have grinned and listened to his story, even if just a little.

But Gaon was different. He just cut off the conversation like a blade.

‘What? Does that bastard have no desire for recognition at all…?’

Then he’d have to change his approach and throw out a story that might catch Gaon’s interest.

If he could get close to Gaon in the guise of Harten Ryu, it would become much easier to create an opportunity to land ‘a hit’ on that guy.

Having finished that thought, Batu quickly changed the subject.

“I heard you want to protect this auction from the Five Nightmares and eliminate them.”

“…”

“I have information about those Five Nightmares.”

Hearing those words, Gaon snorted.

“Would someone like you really know better than a Sword Master?”

It was an incredibly arrogant response.

Batu suppressed his surging emotions and stubbornly continued his act.

“Ha, haha… The Sword Master must have been so busy with various matters that you wouldn’t have had time to pay close attention to the changes in this city.”

“…”

“On the other hand, through exchanges between merchant guilds, I’ve been hearing about all the strange incidents happening in the Dark City without exception.”

Batu added with a slight smile.

“And this time too, I obtained one interesting piece of news. Intelligence that Puppet Master Batu would directly target this auction. If you’re interested…”

Snicker-.

Gaon let out a brief laugh.

He seemed to not believe Batu’s words at all.

“Not necessary. That coward isn’t worthy of being my opponent anyway.”

“…!”

“He’s probably already tucked his tail and run away.”

Thump, thump-.

As soon as those words ended, Batu’s heart began to pound violently.

Why was that?

Listening to Gaon’s confident tone, the humiliation from a few days ago suddenly began to surface.

─Never again, don’t even come near me.

Right.

Gaon thought he had achieved a perfect victory against him.

Since the situation at the cooking tavern, he seemed convinced that Batu had been scared and would never challenge him again.

Grind-.

His teeth ground in anger, but on the other hand, it was also ridiculous.

While not even noticing the true identity of the puppet right in front of his eyes.

Taking advantage of that moment of carelessness to land one hit, and now he was acting so triumphant and looking down on him?

‘I will definitely…’

Batu growled inwardly, filled with rage.

‘…definitely kill you painfully, Gaon.’

* * *

[How foolish.]

As Batu left, Yeonwoo the Feathered Sword spoke exactly what I was thinking.

[His true feelings were showing all over his face too.]

At those words, I also burst into laughter.

‘Right. Does that idiot really believe his acting is working?’

[In contrast, your acting was quite excellent.]

“…?”

[You perfectly hid your original domineering and cold personality. Your appearance just now was… quite detestable. Extremely irritating.]

“…”

No…

The domineering and cold personality you know was originally acting too…

‘Anyway.’

Puppet Master Batu’s behavior was truly ridiculous.

Acting so suspiciously while believing I would be fooled.

No matter how stupid he was, I didn’t expect him to be this bad.

Was it because it was still early? In the game, it wasn’t quite this bad.

Perhaps because it was before he began full-scale cooperation with the Ataraxy guys, he felt more sloppy.

Whoosh-.

While having such thoughts, the VVIP room had become quiet.

Because the first day’s auction was nearing its end.

─And now, today’s finale! It’s time to present the true highlight!

The auctioneer’s voice became even more resonant.

Creak-.

A display stand slowly rising onto the stage.

On top of it was something covered with red silk.

─An existence that has been passed down only in countless legends, one whose name alone makes the continent tremble! A masterpiece among masterpieces personally crafted by The Owner of the Forge and the Flame… a prototype of it!

The entire auction house held its breath.

A tension that hadn’t been seen with any previous auction item filled the air.

─It’s the prototype of Seorineul!

Swoosh-!

The moment the red silk was pulled away, gasps erupted throughout the hall.

A unique longsword with a blue-tinted blade that gradually turned red toward the hilt.

It was so beautiful it could be called a work of art beyond a simple weapon.

The very prototype I had witnessed in the Secret Vault of the Ruin Guild shortly after I possessed this world.

─The first blueprint drawn toward the completion of a legendary divine weapon! A milestone and monument to Seorineul’s creation that no famous sword could imitate! The one and only prototype!

Murmur murmur-.

People’s reactions were heated.

Even the VVIPs who had shown no interest in any other items began to focus.

Just seeing that showed how amazing the Seorineul prototype was.

[Ha.]

Then the Feathered Sword muttered as if her pride was wounded.

[That thing? A masterpiece?]

“…”

[No ego, mediocre abilities… What’s so great about a lump of scrap metal that’s just sharp?]

When I just didn’t respond, Yeonwoo asked a question as if subtly hinting at something.

[Hey. Don’t you think the same way….]

‘Those idiots buying such scrap metal are the fools. If I had that money, I would have rather bought tons of mineral oil and the finest silk to maintain the Feather Sword.’

[….]

When I answered mechanically, the Feather Sword was momentarily dazed, then soon replied as if satisfied.

[Mm-hmm. You really know your stuff.]

Ding-!

〔Your bond with Yeonwoo the Feathered Sword deepens.〕

〔Skill: 【Avatar Manifestation】 proficiency has increased. (5%→6%)〕

‘Anyway.’

Once you know their personality, they’re really easy to handle.

Step, step-.

Just then, someone approached me. It was a long-haired man wearing a mask.

Whirr-.

I pressed the button beside my chair again to deploy the curtain.

“Gaon.”

Swoosh-.

The man removed his mask.

Pointed ears and a face covered with bandages were revealed.

Pean the Sword Master.

He had returned after completing the mission I had assigned him.

“I have tracked the ‘thread’ connected to Harten Ryu.”

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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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