Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 284

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

One-Strike Kill Swordmaster Episode 284

Episode 284. Ruins of Rashutku (3)

* * *

The players of Roel used to categorize the Corrupted Ones based on their appearance locations.

Valley Corrupted Ones, and Abyss Corrupted Ones.

‘It’s not just the location that’s different.’

The Corrupted Ones wandering the Abyss had undergone more severe transformations due to prolonged exposure to the curse. Their patterns were relatively more vicious, and their difficulty level was also much higher.

On the other hand, the Valley Corrupted One now before us?

It was relatively close to its pure form.

Of course.

That didn’t mean it was easy to deal with by any means.

─Everyone except the qualified successor must leave. If you do not, I will have no choice but to take your lives with this sword.

‘As we can already tell from its words…’

The Valley Corrupted One was a gateway that had to be overcome to enter the “Ruins of Rashutku.”

There was no room for negotiation.

Unless we defeated the Corrupted One, exploration would be impossible, and if we couldn’t cross that threshold, all our plans would come to nothing.

‘In the game, the standard approach was to gather as many skilled fighters as possible, including Sword Masters, to form a large-scale raid.’

Since it was a field boss, there was no limit on the number of participants. You could call in as many supporting NPCs as you wanted, and pushing through with concentrated firepower was the most widely used strategy.

Of course, due to the Corrupted One’s characteristics, even if you succeeded, you could only temporarily incapacitate it at best…

‘…But I’m different now.’

I had the Soul of the Sword Master.

When I could just activate an instant-kill technique, there was no need to waste my party members’ stamina.

I just needed to efficiently deal with the Corrupted One and move on to the next stage.

Shring-!

Having finished my thoughts, I drew the Feather Sword from its sheath.

The sword made a cold metallic sound as it cut through the air.

A blue aura flickered over the blade that gleamed faintly in the moonlight.

[…]

But.

Yeonwoo the Feathered Sword, who would normally say something unnecessary right before battle, made no sound at all.

Only silence flowed.

[That being is…]

Only after a long while did I hear Yeonwoo the Feathered Sword’s voice trembling faintly.

As if uncertain about something, she trailed off her words.

‘That’s understandable.’

Yeonwoo must be in great confusion right now. Looking at the being crouched far away in the valley, she would be sensing something familiar.

But I didn’t ask any further.

This matter would have to be dealt with gradually. Right now, crossing the gateway before us was the priority.

Thud-.

I took a step forward to quickly defeat the Corrupted One.

“Lord Gaon…?”

Pean called out to me with a puzzled tone.

His voice was mixed with worry. There was a glimpse of anxiety wondering if I was really planning to face the Corrupted One alone.

“I will face it alone.”

I declared briefly in a firm voice.

“To proceed with the exploration, we must defeat that thing. The rest of you wait behind.”

“No.”

Stop-.

Just then, someone interrupted and cut off my words.

“Please let me fight, Gaon.”

“…?”

It was Balhwan.

The coldly subdued voice of the boy in white robes contained an obsession nurtured over long years.

“The reason I stayed at Ravenhil for hundreds of years was because of that monster.”

Shring-!

The Bifurcated Siblings simultaneously drew their swords.

Heukya and Baekya.

The aura flowing from the two divine weapons spread through the air.

“If you defeat that thing here and now.”

The boy’s eyes sharpened.

“My years become meaningless.”

“…”

I fell into thought for a moment.

In fact, Balhwan fighting the Valley Corrupted One had never happened even once in the game.

The exploration of the Ruins of Rashutku took place in the late game, and by then, Adelia had already defeated Balhwan and become a Sword Master.

‘This is the first time Balhwan and the Valley Corrupted One would fight…’

I ran the calculations.

If I took a strong stance here, I could suppress Balhwan. With my current abilities, it would be entirely possible.

But doing so would only breed more resentment.

His proud personality had already taken many hits. Moreover, this was a situation Balhwan had been waiting for hundreds of years.

Every night, he must have looked at that monster and made a vow. That someday he would surpass it. That obsession must have been what bound Balhwan to this forest of death.

‘So rather.’

For now, taking a step back seemed better.

Rather than completely crushing Balhwan’s pride here, giving him a chance would be more beneficial in the long run.

“Fine.”

Having made my decision, I nodded briefly.

“However, since we can’t let it interfere with the exploration, I’ll intervene immediately if you seem to be getting hurt.”

“…Alright.”

Balhwan agreed.

Soon the twin siblings turned around simultaneously and began walking slowly toward the Corrupted One.

Thud, thud-.

There wasn’t a trace of hesitation in their steps.

The black and white robes swayed in contrast under the moonlight.

* * *

‘Hundreds of years.’

Balhwan repeated inwardly.

It was the time he had spent with that monster at Ravenhil.

The being that crouched in front of the waterfall, never moving. The beast that guarded that spot unchangingly, whether it rained or snowed.

From the moment Balhwan first set foot in this place, ‘that thing’ had been in that spot.

There was no information.

Its name, identity, and purpose were all unknown.

If there was one thing certain.

‘…An aura similar to the Golem Knight.’

The aura flowing from that thing resembled the monster that had massacred his clan.

Cold and merciless killing intent. A ruthless atmosphere that seemed to reject life itself.

That’s why Balhwan was certain.

If he could overcome that thing, he could defeat the Golem Knight as well.

Every night he fought the monsters of Ravenhil, honing his sword. Even when sleeping, he never let his guard down, and not for a single moment did he stop training.

Everything was for the sake of surpassing that monster.

But now.

When actually facing that thing, his certainty wavered.

‘Indeed.’

Could he achieve victory?

He didn’t know. Judging by aura alone, it seemed like it would be an evenly matched fight.

Neck and neck. Close enough that either could win without it being strange.

However.

‘As can be seen from Gaon’s case…’

Aura alone couldn’t perfectly predict an opponent.

The Thirteenth Sword Master, Gaon.

On the surface, he appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary mercenary, but when they actually crossed swords, there existed an insurmountable wall.

Then perhaps that Intruder was the same. Maybe even stronger than him.

Strength entered Balhwan’s hands as he gripped Heukya and Baekya tightly.

One step, then another step.

The closer the distance became, the more clearly he could feel the aura flowing from the Intruder.

This was the moment he had been preparing for hundreds of years. Those times when he gazed at that monster every night, making his resolve, had all been for this single moment.

Just then.

[Aren’t you the dog of the old one who has guarded this land for hundreds of years.]

“…”

[Do you intend to fight me alone?]

Balhwan’s eyes widened momentarily.

The Boy in White Robe and the Girl in Black Robe both showed surprised expressions simultaneously.

“You knew about me?”

[Of course I knew.]

The Intruder answered slowly.

[How could I not know when a member of the Balhwan clan, bearing a sacred oath, sharpens his blade of revenge while watching me every day.]

“…”

“…”

Silence flowed.

Even after the Intruder finished speaking, no one could open their mouth for a while. Only the sound of the waterfall cascading into the valley echoed emptily.

The fact that the Intruder knew of Balhwan’s killing intent. That alone was surprising enough.

But there was a bigger problem.

‘He clearly recognizes the existence of Sword Masters.’

Balhwan’s gaze turned toward the steel monster a few steps ahead. The red burning eyes visible through the gaps in the helmet felt like they could see through everything.

The Intruder’s actions up until now.

It meant that killing Heukgol and attacking Pean in the Abyss hadn’t been coincidental.

That monster had been selectively hunting only Sword Masters from the beginning. As if crossing them off a predetermined list one by one.

“Just what exactly are you?”

Balhwan coldly threw the question.

However.

The Intruder didn’t answer.

Instead, it slowly turned its head to look toward Gaon. More precisely, toward the Feather Sword held in his hand.

[That answer…]

Creak—.

Along with the sound of rusted metal creaking, the Intruder’s voice echoed lowly.

[…you shall hear later through another’s mouth.]

“…?”

Balhwan’s eyes filled with puzzlement.

Another’s mouth?

What did that mean?

Just as Balhwan was about to voice his question.

Thud thud thud—!

“…!”

The Intruder suddenly kicked off the ground and charged forward.

The massive steel frame closed the distance in an instant. Valley water splashed in all directions, and the great swords attached to both arms gleamed coldly in the moonlight.

Whoosh—!

The blade cut through the air.

Clang—!

The Boy in White Robe raised Baekya to block.

The moment sword met sword, sparks flew in all directions. Flames pushed back the darkness with a flash, followed immediately by a thunderous roar.

BOOOOOOOOM——!

“Urgh…!”

A massive shockwave spread out.

Valley water splashed up violently, and the surrounding air shook intensely.

Not missing that opening, the Girl in Black Robe penetrated the Intruder’s flank. Heukya glowed faintly in the darkness, aiming for the monster’s opening. The angle was perfect.

Clang—!

But the Intruder leisurely deflected it with the great sword on his other arm.

Three shadows moved swiftly, cutting through the water spray. The black and white robes circled around the Intruder, changing their angles of attack.

The sound of the cascading waterfall swallowed the clash of swords. Sparks continued to fly up in the dark forest, and each time lightning flashed, the three shadows briefly revealed themselves.

Rapid consecutive attacks.

Offense and defense continuing without pause.

While only moonlight and sparks flickered in the darkness, the valley water splashed endlessly, and the waterfall continued to roar unchangingly.

“…”

“…”

The Expedition Members couldn’t even breathe properly.

Yakov, the Captain, could only stare blankly at the scene with both hands clenched tightly. The Koshat Siblings were the same.

It was overwhelming.

Just sparks flying, thunderous roars, and flashing lightning. Even when they tried to follow with their eyes, their positions had already changed, and when they tried to listen with their ears, it was drowned out by the waterfall’s sound.

That was all they could see.

However.

The Sword Masters were different.

‘He’s being pushed back.’

Pean’s enhanced senses swept over the battlefield.

Though the darkness was thick, it was clearly visible to him. The fact that Balhwan was gradually being pushed back by the Intruder.

The frequency of exchanging swords was gradually decreasing. Defense was becoming more common than offense, and instead of controlling space, he was giving it up.

Pshhhh—!

Jeungmu felt the same way.

He watched the battle through his monocle while quietly releasing steam.

‘When should I intervene?’

Gaon had said so. If it looked like someone would get injured and interfere with the exploration, he would intervene immediately.

So was now that timing?

It didn’t seem like it yet. Balhwan was being pushed back but was still exchanging swords. He hadn’t suffered any fatal wounds, nor did he show signs of collapse.

Jeungmu, who had been pondering, naturally turned his head to look at Gaon.

It was to seek his judgment.

“….”

Gaon stood still, watching the battle.

Holding the Feather Sword, without the slightest movement.

But then.

“…?”

Jeungmu slightly furrowed his brow.

Because he had discovered something strange.

‘That’s….’

Gaon’s two pupils.

They were not directed toward Balhwan and the Intruder.

Instead, they were staring at an empty space.

At nothing but vacant air. At a point in the darkness far removed from where the battle was taking place.

Swoosh-.

Jeungmu unconsciously turned his head to follow where Gaon’s gaze was directed.

As expected, there was nothing there.

Only the dark forest and flowing waterfall could be seen.

‘What on earth is he looking at?’

But then.

Kaaaang-!

“…!”

A few seconds later.

A flash of light erupted from exactly that spot.

The sight of Balhwan and the Intruder clashing swords in combat was revealed in the light. A battle had just unfolded in that very empty space Gaon had been watching.

Was it a coincidence?

No.

That couldn’t be.

‘What is this….’

He looked at Gaon again.

Still, his gaze was directed elsewhere. Once again at empty space where nothing existed.

But Jeungmu realized.

That in a few seconds, a battle would unfold at exactly that location.

And that expectation was not wrong.

Chaeeeeeng-!

The flash erupted once more.

At the very spot Gaon had been watching.

Jeungmu’s eyes wavered.

‘When others look at the present….’

It was unbelievable.

‘…that man is seeing the future.’

It wasn’t Mangnyeom either.

Nor did he possess supernatural intuition.

Then how was such a thing possible?

Right at that moment.

Pean’s voice suddenly flashed through his mind.

─Lord Gaon is special. He can utilize the characteristics of other Sword Masters.

‘Ah.’

Pause-.

In an instant, Jeungmu’s mind went completely blank.

‘Could it be….’

…Was everything Pean had said truly real?

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————