Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 264

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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 264

Episode 264. The Relic Investigation Team and the Assembly (4)

When I first visited Middle Temple.

I clashed with Heukgol, and after the Sacred Inquisition ended, I had to face Jark von Haibrunn.

During my second visit, I fought against Bloodlust. I had a duel with her right before the Sword Master assembly meeting and achieved an overwhelming victory in front of everyone.

And the third time.

‘This time it’s Jeungmu…?’

For some reason, every time I came to Middle Temple, I found myself repeatedly crossing swords with Sword Masters.

The problem was.

‘…The situation is different from the past.’

The battle with Heukgol was unavoidable. I couldn’t be recognized as a Sword Master without passing the trial he set.

The duel with Bloodlust also had a clear purpose.

I needed to demonstrate my martial prowess in front of other Sword Masters and clerics to solidify my position and earn their respect.

But now?

‘There’s nothing to gain from fighting Jeungmu.’

It would only result in losses.

Swoosh-.

Having finished that thought, I slowly shifted my gaze to look at Jeungmu.

Through his monocle, his eyes were filled with pure curiosity and fighting spirit.

‘That’s…’

…The eyes of someone obsessed with the sword.

I could understand it.

Originally, all Sword Masters possessed such combat instincts.

‘But.’

That’s your problem, you bastard.

I had neither the obligation nor reason to satisfy Jeungmu’s curiosity.

The image I had built up until now was clear.

A prophet who received revelations from the Great Ones. The Thirteenth Sword Master who would save the world. A mystical yet overwhelming existence.

‘To maintain that image, I shouldn’t carelessly display my abilities.’

I had to avoid exposing my full strength as much as possible.

When I did show it, there had to be a clear purpose, and even in that process, I had to maintain an unfathomable composure that my opponent couldn’t gauge.

‘But if I were to duel with Jeungmu now?’

It would only create more troublesome situations.

Fighting would expose my abilities, and the more that was revealed, the more my mystique would be broken. That might cause setbacks in my future plans.

Moreover, even if I won the duel against Jeungmu, I would gain absolutely nothing.

Since I had already overwhelmed Bloodlust, beating another Sword Master wouldn’t change anything.

Therefore…

‘There’s only one conclusion.’

I had to refuse this duel.

Of course, I didn’t need to personally step forward to refuse. As always, the most effective method in such situations was silence.

It meant I just needed to stay quiet and maintain my dignity.

“…”

I stared intently at Jeungmu while keeping my mouth shut.

I said nothing. I didn’t make any particular changes to my expression either. I simply fixed my gaze on him.

Hiss, hisss-.

The sound of steam emanating from Jeungmu’s body gradually subsided.

The fighting spirit that had filled his eyes also slowly cooled down.

“Ah.”

Finally, Jeungmu snapped back to his senses.

“My apologies. To suddenly request a duel without any explanation.”

“…”

“Truly ungentlemanly rudeness on my part. I ask for your forgiveness.”

His voice was calm, but there was embarrassment mixed in somewhere.

“Actually, it was an impulsive proposal. My desire to cross swords with a master of your caliber got the better of me.”

“…”

“Moreover, we’ll be exploring the ruins of Rashutku together from now on, won’t we? I thought that if I could properly assess your abilities through a duel, it would help in our future cooperation.”

Swoosh-.

As he raised his head to look at me, there was still lingering regret in his eyes.

Jeungmu probably knew it too. That his justification was nothing more than an excuse.

I nodded briefly and answered calmly.

“You also know that I have no particular reason to accept that proposal.”

“That’s correct.”

Jeungmu nodded.

“I was rude. I apologize once again.”

Hiss-.

With the sound of steam, Jeungmu reluctantly stepped back.

Regret was dripping from his every movement.

“Jeungmu.”

I called out to stop him. Then I made a proposal.

“Rather than me, how about facing my disciple instead?”

“…?”

Pause-.

Upon hearing the unexpected proposal, Jeungmu looked back at me with a somewhat bewildered expression.

And.

“…Pardon?”

Adelia, who was beside me, also muttered in a dazed voice.

* * *

Adelia had always achieved great growth through battles with skilled opponents.

In that sense, a duel with Jeungmu would also serve as a great opportunity for her.

A battle with a Sword Master-level expert. Moreover, an opponent with the racial characteristics of the Ferric Clan.

These were conditions that could bring significant growth to Adelia.

‘It wouldn’t be bad for Jeungmu either.’

His body was already heated up from the situation. With his fighting spirit as a swordsman boiling over, it would be disappointing to just return like this.

It would be better for him to satisfy that desire by dueling with Adelia.

Furthermore.

‘Adelia is a comrade who will join the relic exploration.’

Before officially beginning the mission, it was essential to understand each other’s abilities and combat styles.

If Jeungmu and Adelia came to understand each other through this opportunity, it would be of great help in future explorations.

‘It’s a proposal that benefits everyone.’

Naturally, news of the duel between Adelia and Jeungmu spread quickly.

The Paladins who heard the rumors instantly flocked to the training ground.

Murmur murmur─.

“To see the swords of The Protagonist, followed by Bloodlust, and now Meister Jeungmu directly… This generation is truly blessed.”

“If it’s Miss Goldheart, then she must be a worthy opponent.”

Low voices filled with anticipation.

It was then that one paladin who had been carefully observing the center of the training ground tilted his head.

“Wait, it seems Meister Zengmu isn’t carrying any weapons…?”

“…?”

The gazes of the surrounding paladins all turned toward Jeungmu at once.

Upon checking, those words were correct.

No scabbard or weapon was visible at Jeungmu’s waist.

“Don’t tell me he’s planning to spar barehanded like The Protagonist did last time?”

Murmur murmur-.

It was at that very moment.

Swoosh-.

Jeungmu slipped his hand inside his coat.

A moment later, when his hand reappeared, something was gripped within it.

It was a rectangular metal chunk small enough to fit in one hand.

“…?”

Jeungmu gripped it tightly.

Click, click, click-!

The metal’s form began to change.

The rectangular chunk instantly stretched out long. A blade formed, a handle was completed, and the sword body fully unfolded.

Soon a longsword appeared in Jeungmu’s hand.

“Wh-what is that…!”

Exclamations burst out from among the paladins.

And.

[Myu… Myumyu?]

Mukyoo, who was clinging to Muwolcha’s face, muttered in a slightly flustered voice.

It seemed surprised by the appearance of a cube that could change shape like itself.

I explained in a calm and clear voice.

“It’s called the Thousand Transformations Device.”

“…”

“A divine artifact that can transform into thousands of different forms according to the user’s will.”

Normally it was just a small metal chunk, but as needed it could transform into longswords, daggers, spears, axes… even weapons like fire arms.

“Ooh…”

“Amazing.”

Exclamations burst out from among the paladins.

Swoosh-.

Jeungmu’s gaze slowly swept around.

The eyes of the countless paladins surrounding the training ground were full of curiosity and anticipation.

Chuckle-.

Confirming this, Jeungmu let out a small laugh. Fixing his gaze on Adelia again, he opened his mouth.

“House of Goldhart has been a prestigious family that has produced many excellent swordsmen since ancient times. I too have once bestowed teachings upon your ancestors.”

Pshhhh-.

With a single steam sound, Jeungmu continued speaking.

“However, even considering the talent inherent in the Goldhart bloodline, your achievements are truly admirable. Those who reach such a level at that age are extremely rare. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say you have the qualities of a Sword Master.”

“You flatter me.”

Adelia bowed her head respectfully.

“I’m the one who’s honored to have the opportunity to spar with Meister Zengmu.”

Gripping the handle of her meteor sword tightly, she answered with determined eyes.

“I will learn much.”

“…”

Silence flowed.

The gazes of the two clashed in midair. Even the surrounding murmurs and wind sounds seemed to disappear.

Tension.

Even the paladins filling the training ground held their breath.

Adelia’s eyes changed. Her usual gentleness disappeared, leaving only the sharp gaze of a swordsman.

Jeungmu was the same. The steam seeping from his body began to tremble minutely.

The sparring match had begun.

Shing-!

As Adelia drew her sword, the blade of the meteor sword emitted a gentle light.

But she didn’t attack first. She simply took a defensive stance with her sword held before her body and quietly stared at Jeungmu.

She was clearly waiting. For Jeungmu to come at her first.

─I plan to pursue swordsmanship focused on defense to an extreme degree.

The direction Adelia had revealed to me.

After obtaining the meteor sword and 【Reflecting Water Surface】, she had been pursuing a defensive-specialized style of swordsmanship.

A method of receiving the enemy’s attacks, enduring to the end, then unleashing counterattacks along with the accumulated shadow swords. That was the path Adelia had chosen to walk.

Pshhhhhhhh──.

The next moment.

Steam explosively erupted from Jeungmu’s body.

White steam spread in all directions across the training ground floor. In an instant, thick fog covered the center.

Jeungmu’s body completely submerged into the steam.

Adelia’s eyes became even sharper.

Whooooom-!

Right then.

Something shot out from within the fog.

A long spear.

No, rather than a spear, it was closer to a metal skewer. An endlessly long metal spear cut through the fog and rushed toward Adelia.

“…!”

Hesitation-.

Adelia couldn’t help but be momentarily flustered.

The distance to Jeungmu was far.

A sudden ranged attack in the thick fog.

There had been no sign of Jeungmu moving at all.

It was either a pure throw from a distance, or perhaps…

“…Thousand Transformations Device!”

Adelia shouted. Though it was an unexpected attack, fortunately she had already assumed a defensive stance.

Clang-!

A sharp metallic sound. The meteor sword precisely deflected the spear’s trajectory.

But the weight behind the spear was beyond imagination.

“Kuk!”

From the sudden impact, Adelia’s center of gravity shifted backward.

Jeungmu didn’t miss that opening.

Breaking through the thick fog, he rushed toward Adelia.

Click, whirrrr, click-!

The ridiculously long metal skewer contracted and reassembled with dynamic mechanical sounds.

The long spear shaft folded, and the spear tip transformed to form a thick blade. Soon it transformed into a sword that could be held in one hand.

But its form was peculiar. The tip of the sword was split into two prongs, with a gun barrel attached between them.

Boom-!

Before Adelia could straighten her posture, the gun-tipped sword swept horizontally.

Kagagagang-!

Adelia quickly raised her meteor sword to block it. A sharp sound of clashing blades echoed through the air.

The next moment.

Taang, taaaang-!

A magic cannon fired from the gun barrel at the sword’s tip, and a bullet of light flew toward Adelia’s face.

Adelia hastily ducked her head.

Seuchiik-!

In that split second, the searing magic bullet singed her hair.

Shuuuuk-!

The bullet continued straight ahead, flying toward the Paladins standing at the edge of the training ground.

Teoeong-!

A barrier made of divine power blocked the bullet.

The Paladins were also skilled fighters, so they could easily handle such projectiles.

However.

“….”

“….”

Their expressions showed slight concern.

The sparring match between Adelia and Jeungmu was becoming increasingly intense.

‘This is….’

I also looked toward the center of the training ground with narrowed eyes.

‘…It seems like the kids are getting excited and losing their reason.’

The fact that they fired bullets without considering the people around the training ground was proof of that.

Sure enough.

Looking around, Arwen and the other Paladins were staring directly at me.

─You’ll handle it if something happens, right?

Their expressions seemed to say exactly that.

* * *

Pause-.

Edge of the Abyss.

Pean stopped walking.

“…?”

He sensed an unfamiliar presence.

No, it felt somehow alien to call it a human presence.

Keureureureur-!

A low, deep growling sound could be heard.

The sound echoed along the walls of the Abyss.

Sound waves spread in all directions, creating reverberations that returned and mapped out the surrounding terrain.

Pean’s heightened senses detected this.

Sound reflection. Vibration patterns. Air currents. All the information combined as the opponent’s outline slowly became clear.

‘That thing is….’

It was a creature whose entire body was made of steel.

Metal fragments had organically combined to form skin, and sharp protrusions jutted up along its spine.

Keureureureur-.

The growling sound echoed once more.

Pean wore a cold expression as he realized the enemy’s identity.

‘…Intruder.’

It was the monster Middle Temple had warned about, and the mysterious assailant that had killed Heukgol.

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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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