Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 283
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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 283
Episode 283. Ruins of Rashutku (2)
* * *
About 10 minutes ago.
We were walking toward the valley where the waterfall flowed.
“I’ve spent hundreds of years in this place.”
Balhwan suddenly spoke up.
“But I never touched the monster crouching in front of that valley.”
Unlike her usual domineering tone, there was a cautious note mixed in her voice.
“That thing is strong. So strong that even we couldn’t handle victory against it.”
“….”
“What’s more, that bastard gives off an aura similar to the Golem Knights that massacred our clan.”
Flinch-.
As soon as those words ended, Pean’s expression subtly hardened.
‘That’s a natural reaction.’
Pean had directly faced an Intruder in the Abyss. He had experienced firsthand just how threatening an opponent that monster was.
Hissss-!
Jeungmu also showed clear signs of tension. The steam escaping from his body was rougher than usual.
Of course, the beast in front of the valley was essentially the same existence as the Intruder that had killed Heukgol.
“If I ever became strong enough to overpower that monster… I planned to cross swords with it and then leave the mountain.”
The reason Balhwan had settled in this forest of death.
The reason she endured the harsh environment of risking her life fighting monsters every night.
On the surface, she said it was to take revenge on the Golem Knights, but that alone wasn’t enough explanation.
There were plenty of other places they could have trained besides Ravenhil.
The real reason Balhwan remained at Ravenhil was different.
‘Namely, surpassing that monster in the valley.’
Yes.
That was Balhwan’s true goal.
Looking at that existence every day to confirm her own limits.
Renewing her determination to someday surpass the one who gave off an aura similar to the Golem Knights.
She had endured hundreds of years at this Ravenhil.
And that meant.
‘In other words…’
…the Intruder was an opponent that even Balhwan couldn’t carelessly touch.
Whoooosh──!
The sound of the waterfall grew closer and closer.
The group continued moving forward.
The darkness gradually lifted, and through the faint water mist, the outline of a massive waterfall began to reveal itself.
And.
Finally, the being crouched in front of it showed itself.
【҉҈̶̸̷L҈̷̸v̴̶̵.̸҈̷̶̴ ■̸̷҉̷̵■҈҉҈̵҈】
Even its level wasn’t displayed properly.
Which meant that being was also an Immortal.
Grrrrr-!
A body made of steel.
A black surface that seemed to devour light.
Even the red glowing eyes beyond its helmet.
〔Mental Power ‘MAX’ resists the opponent’s intimidation.〕
It was an tremendous aura.
Even from dozens of meters away, I felt the hair on my entire body stand on end.
My instincts were sending warnings. That thing was dangerous. I shouldn’t approach it carelessly.
Swish-.
I looked around.
The faces of the Relic Exploration Team members were hardened with tension. Some gripped their weapons tightly, others gulped nervously.
They were preparing for battle to break out.
But right at that moment.
[Finally…]
The Intruder’s mouth opened.
A voice like clashing steel. But it clearly conveyed meaning.
[…A legitimate heir of the Rashutku Empire has found this place.]
Flinch-.
The next instant.
Confused sounds erupted from here and there.
“Huh?”
“What?”
The eyes of the Relic Exploration Team members widened in unison.
Some stood with their mouths agape wearing blank expressions, while others looked around at each other exchanging glances as if asking whether they’d heard correctly.
Of course, a monster speaking wasn’t surprising in itself. High-level magical beasts were certainly capable of it.
Therefore.
The reason they were surprised wasn’t that the Intruder had spoken to them.
“Th-that pronunciation is…”
“Could it be the ancient language?”
Rather, it was because the language flowing from the Intruder’s mouth was the ancient tongue.
Naturally, I could understand it immediately. It wasn’t for nothing that ‘Simple Ancient Language’ of Roel was included among the 8 languages I could speak.
And while the Relic Exploration Team members also seemed flustered, they didn’t appear to be completely unable to understand its meaning.
They were experts who explored ancient ruins. Deciphering inscriptions and studying ancient texts was their profession.
Even if they couldn’t translate perfectly, they should be able to grasp the general context.
“Heir of the Rashutku Empire…?”
Whoosh-.
The group’s gazes all turned in one direction at once.
It was the Koshat Siblings.
The two siblings standing with openers in their hands wore bewildered expressions as attention suddenly focused on them.
“Could it be.”
Swish-.
Captain Yaakov looked at the openers held in the Koshat Siblings’ hands.
Ancient keys and maps. Tools that opened the door leading to the Rashutku Empire.
“…Is it reacting like that because we brought the openers?”
“No.”
Pean shook his head back and forth.
Having explored the Rashutku Ruins together last time, he knew exactly what this situation meant.
“It seems you haven’t revealed ‘that fact’ within the Relic Exploration Team yet, Mr. Koshat.”
“….”
“….”
Silence flowed. The Koshat Siblings gave no answer. They simply stood there hesitantly.
“Why didn’t you reveal it? The fact that you carry the bloodline of the Rashutku Imperial House.”
“Imperial bloodline?”
“What does that….”
Murmur murmur-.
The moment Pean finished speaking, the surroundings began to stir.
The Expedition Members all turned to look at the Koshat Siblings at once.
Expressions of disbelief. Gazes mixed with confusion and shock.
Even Yakov, the Captain who was right beside them, had his mouth hanging open, showing that they truly hadn’t told anyone about this fact.
‘There must have been various reasons why they couldn’t reveal their circumstances.’
It might have been because it didn’t feel real, or they might not have felt the need to mention it.
In the first place, it wasn’t easy to confidently tell others about something they themselves weren’t certain of.
However.
Unfortunately, the group couldn’t continue their conversation any further.
Screech-!
Because from ahead, a chilling metallic sound could be heard.
“…!”
“…!”
The commotion abruptly stopped.
Everyone’s gaze turned toward the Intruder at once.
The sound of rusted metal grinding together. The massive form that had been crouched down slowly began to rise.
Creak-!
Joints creaked.
Like a machine that hadn’t moved for ages was finally starting up.
[….]
Whooooo-.
The steel body dimly gleamed in the moonlight. Red eyes blazed through the gaps in the helmet.
Soon the fully risen Intruder slowly looked around.
His gaze swept over the Expedition Members. It passed by Jeungmu, lingered on Pean, then finally returned to the Koshat Siblings.
[So you are the forces meant to escort the imperial bloodline to this place.]
The Intruder’s voice echoed.
A rough tone like grinding steel. But within it was a strange formality.
A speech pattern where wildness and etiquette were oddly mixed.
[I express my gratitude to you all.]
The Intruder bowed his head. Very briefly, but clearly.
[After thousands of years, that a qualified successor could come to this place was all thanks to your efforts.]
“….”
“….”
The Expedition Members were at a loss for words.
This time they couldn’t fully understand all of the Intruder’s statements.
No matter how professionally they investigated ruins, perfectly mastering simple ancient language wasn’t an easy task.
‘Well, what’s important starts now anyway.’
I quietly watched the Intruder.
It was exactly as I’d seen in the game. He expressed gratitude, and then next….
[However.]
Creak-!
…As expected, the Intruder’s arms began to distort.
Metal twisted. It wasn’t the sound of flesh tearing. It was the cold sound of transformation, like machinery being reassembled.
Slide-.
His wrists extended. Fingers merged together, and metal plates stacked up layer upon layer.
‘That form I saw in the Memoirs of Aiter.’
Clang-!
Soon two massive greatswords were completed.
The weapons that had torn Heukgol to death.
The blades attached to both arms gleamed coldly in the moonlight.
“…!”
Jeungmu’s body stiffened.
Unconsciously taking a step back, he gripped his Thousand Changes in his hand.
‘…Being of the Iron Spirit race, he’d feel it more sensitively.’
A body made of metal. A freely transforming physique.
Just like the Diviner had earlier, he must have sensed commonalities between himself and the Intruder.
Regardless.
The Intruder continued speaking.
[Beyond this point….]
The greatswords slowly rose.
The blades gleamed coldly in the moonlight.
[…is not permitted before any existence other than the Emperor’s bloodline.]
Killing intent could be felt.
What mixed into his voice was clear hostility.
‘It’s flowing exactly as I expected.’
I quietly watched the Intruder.
It was the same in the game.
When the Koshat Siblings weren’t present, combat proceeded immediately.
Even if they accompanied the group, he tried to exclude all companions except the siblings.
[Everyone except the qualified successors, leave.]
It was a coldly sunken voice.
[If you do not, I will have no choice but to take your lives with this sword.]
* * *
“When am I leaving, you ask? Well?”
Heukgol giggled while lying on the sofa.
Thanks to recuperation, his body had recovered considerably. The size that had been like an adult man’s forearm had now grown to about that of a 10-year-old child.
Though that still didn’t even reach The Recluse’s waist.
“I like it here because it’s comfortable. This cabin is cozy, isn’t it?”
“….”
“Can’t I impose on you a bit longer for the time being?”
When Heukgol added with a bright smile, The Recluse gave no answer.
The giant figure in heavy armor silently looked down at Heukgol, then picked up the large sketchbook placed on the desk.
Scratch, scratch-.
Only the sound of pencil scraping paper echoed quietly.
After a moment.
The Recluse held out the sketchbook to Heukgol.
[If you keep this up, I won’t store your Life Vessel any longer.]
[You take it for granted that you impose on my house every time you die.]
“Hey! Every time, you say!”
Heukgol protested spiritedly.
“Just twice! I’ve only died twice since becoming a Death Knight!”
Scratch, scratch-.
The Recluse began writing something in her sketchbook again. She looked quite annoyed.
Taking advantage of the moment, Heukgol giggled and continued muttering.
“Honestly, this cabin has such charm, doesn’t it? Plus the forest outside is really pretty too.”
“….”
“Ravenhil where Balhwan stays is gloomy, but this place is lush and pleasant to look at….”
But then.
Stop-.
Heukgol’s words suddenly cut off.
Because an ominous presence was detected.
The Recluse’s hand, which had been writing something in the sketchbook, also hesitated. The pencil tip stopped on the paper.
Heukgol muttered.
“Wait, this couldn’t be-.”
KRAAAAAAAAAANG──!
A thunderous roar erupted.
The cabin’s wall exploded and shattered. Dust and wood fragments scattered in all directions.
The sketchbook fell to the floor.
In The Recluse’s hands was now an absurdly large morning star.
Clang clang clang-!
The sound of metal clashing.
The mysterious assailant who had broken into the cabin was engaged in a power struggle with The Recluse.
A body made of steel. Glowing red eyes.
“…Damn it.”
A curse escaped from Heukgol’s lips.
The Intruder.
The very monster that had killed him was attacking their hideout.
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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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