Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 297

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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 297

Episode 297. Creepy Creepy Rashutku (6)

Upon hearing the Ghost’s cryptic words, Balhwan frowned and asked back.

“Remnants of the Twin Emperors? What do you mean by that?”

[….]

However, the Ghost did not answer.

He simply looked at Balhwan with a complicated expression.

The Ghost’s lips trembled slightly. He seemed to repeatedly start to say something, then stop.

After a long silence, the Ghost slowly opened his mouth.

[Even if I explained it now, you would not understand.]

“…What?”

[There would be restrictions on the information, and just revealing a little would cause ‘them’ to react.]

Displeasure mixed into Balhwan’s expression.

She showed signs of feeling frustrated by the continued parade of riddle-like words.

But the Ghost continued speaking without concern.

[There is no need to be impatient. Since you have set foot in this Imperial Palace, you too will soon learn the truth hidden in Rashutku, so wait for the time.]

Hah-.

The Girl in Black Robe let out a bitter laugh and frowned.

She seemed to feel that she was being ignored.

Just as she was about to step forward, ready to confront the Ghost immediately.

“Balhwan.”

“…!”

Stop-.

At my voice, Balhwan’s steps halted.

The Girl in Black Robe slowly turned her head to look at me.

Her face was full of signs that she wanted to argue, but in the end she sighed and stepped back.

‘…She’s definitely become more docile.’

Was it thanks to properly suppressing her spirit before entering the Rashutku Ruins?

Balhwan was bending her prideful nature and obediently following my words.

Indeed.

When dealing with Sword Masters, fists are faster and more reliable than words.

[By the way….]

Swoosh-.

Then, the Ghost turned his gaze to me and changed the subject.

[You managed to find this place well.]

“….”

[The underground waterway beneath the Imperial Palace is like a labyrinth. I thought to test your qualifications by having you pass through those dangers to find me.]

“….”

[However, I never expected you would choose the path closest to me in one go from among all those drains.]

That’s right.

As the Ghost said, the Imperial Palace’s drainage system was incredibly complex.

Dozens of drains were scattered throughout the Imperial Palace, each leading to different waterways.

Following those waterways down, trials awaited.

Monsters consumed by curses. Passages tangled like a maze. And traps that constantly hindered players.

The Ghost probably thought only those who passed through such processes were qualified to meet him.

‘But what about me?’

I deliberately chose the drain closest to the Ghost.

I skipped all the trials and reached this place in one go.

…From the fact that the safest passage was a toilet, I could newly realize just how malicious the game Roel was.

‘Anyway.’

As a Ghost, he must be annoyed since he couldn’t test us.

However.

“So.”

I looked straight at the Ghost and asked accusingly.

“Is there a problem?”

[….]

Stop-.

The Ghost’s expressionless face wavered slightly.

His flustered appearance was obvious, as if he hadn’t expected me to come out confidently instead.

“You are the one who asked us for help.”

I didn’t miss that opportunity and continued speaking.

“Last night, who was it that first approached upon seeing the monk blessed by The Great Ones? Who was it that begged to have the curse lifted and the soul liberated?”

[….]

“Yet now you’re acting like you’re in charge, presenting riddles and talking about tests. Is that the attitude of one who begs? Do you think you’re in a position to make conditions and be selective when you’re the one asking for favors?”

While the Ghost was at a loss for words, I pressed him without rest.

“Nevertheless, I fulfilled your request. I solved the riddle and came all the way to this place where you were hiding.”

[….]

“The conditions you presented have already been met. I found the drain and stood before you through the waterway, so if this isn’t the fulfillment of an agreed transaction, then what is?”

[….]

“But now you say you don’t like the method? Just because the process was different from your expectations?”

Snicker-.

Without realizing it, a sneer escaped me.

“Come on, try answering.”

I asked the Ghost in a domineering manner.

“Am I wrong, Veteran Gamer?”

[…!]

Instantly, the Ghost’s eyes widened.

Shock was revealed without filter across his translucent face. His lips trembled, and his very form wavered for a moment.

Veteran Gamer.

If the emperor was the sky, then he was the earth. A being who commanded ten thousand subjects and oversaw all the Empire’s state affairs.

That Ghost was someone who possessed such tremendous power and influence.

‘This identity is only revealed in the latter half of the scenario, when the Imperial Palace’s curse is almost completely lifted.’

However, I already knew all these facts.

As I’ve said many times, I’ve played through the Imperial Palace scenario dozens of times.

[How do you know my identity….]

The Veteran Gamer’s voice trembled.

Countless emotions began to surface in his complexly wavering eyes. Wariness, surprise, and even bewilderment.

Only after a long while did he slowly step back.

[…Calm yourself.]

The Veteran Gamer’s voice became much lower.

Was he trying to save face?

His efforts to regain composure were obvious.

[I never said I had complaints about you. I was simply surprised for a moment because it was a different method than expected.]

I chuckled inwardly.

‘Lies.’

If I hadn’t struck first?

He would have definitely made all sorts of excuses and dumped additional quests on us.

Waterway exploration, monster subjugation, item collection.

And countless other endlessly continuing troublesome conditions.

‘Apart from the horror theme, this is why the Imperial Palace Quest is so difficult.’

However.

[Your words are correct.]

Now the situation had changed.

The Prime Minister slowly nodded his head.

[Even if you found the nearest drain, that too is part of your ability. I have no intention of denying that luck is also skill.]

“….”

[Moreover, you even saw through my true identity… Yes. I’d say you’ve already sufficiently proven your qualifications.]

There was resignation in the Prime Minister’s voice. He was acknowledging that there was no longer any justification for finding fault.

[I apologize. I will no longer question your qualifications.]

Swoosh-.

The Prime Minister turned around.

[Follow me.]

“….”

[Now I will guide you to where the ‘source’ of the curse covering the Imperial Palace sleeps.]

Swoooosh-.

The Prime Minister began moving slowly deeper into the waterway.

I followed behind the ghost, and Adelia, Muwolcha, and Balhwan quietly followed as well.

* * *

Thud, thud-.

Only the sound of our party’s footsteps echoed through the quiet waterway.

How much further had we walked?

The Prime Minister slowly opened his mouth.

[The nights of Rashutku are time for the dead.]

“….”

[However, that night doesn’t only refer to the darkness that rises in the sky. Underground and in shadows. In all places where light doesn’t reach. Especially in darkness like this waterway… the old imperial citizens still live, holding their breath.]

Hearing those words, Adelia carefully asked.

“Just now, did you say imperial citizens?”

[That’s right.]

“….”

Pause-.

Adelia’s expression was swept with confusion.

She had been unable to hide her surprise from the moment she first encountered this Ghost Prime Minister.

The very fact that a prime minister from an empire that had perished thousands of years ago remained as a ghost would have been shocking.

But not only that, other imperial citizens existed as well.

“Then down here underground too….”

Swoosh-.

Adelia looked around her surroundings.

The waterway submerged in darkness.

It seemed the thought had crossed her mind that other imperial citizens might be hiding somewhere nearby.

[Do you know how the Empire came to its destruction?]

It was then that the Prime Minister asked a question as if interrupting Adelia’s words.

“Well….”

Adelia trailed off.

She glanced back at me, gauging the situation. Her eyes were asking if it was okay to answer.

When I nodded slightly, Adelia opened her mouth.

“…The attack of the Evil Deities.”

It was an answer based on information obtained while conquering the Ruins of Rashutku.

“The Evil Deities invaded this world, bringing the ancient era to an end, and the Rashutku Empire also perished in the aftermath.”

[Hmm.]

The Prime Minister paused for a moment, then soon wore a bitter smile.

[That’s not wrong either.]

“…?”

[However, there’s far too much missing to explain the Empire’s downfall with just those words.]

The story of the Rashutku Ruins had begun in earnest.

Though I already knew the content, I listened carefully to avoid missing any potential situations.

Muwolcha also quietly listened to the Ghost Prime Minister’s words. For her, who had only played the Imperial Palace skip route, this story would be her first encounter with this narrative.

* * *

The background of the ancient era’s destruction.

I had already been able to understand that reason through other scenarios.

Several months ago from now.

When I explored the Ruins of Rashutku with Pean, I had heard that truth from Upapa, the 「Master of Latent Potential and Rebirth」.

At that time, I had asked the following question.

─Why didn’t you leave the Lower Realm following the other Great Ones?

Then.

The answer Upapa had given.

─The other guys are really full of greed. Even though I warned them so many times, they ended up bringing in 「Beings from Another World」 and created this mess.

He had muttered as if displeased.

─Now everything’s obvious. Every day is the same, and there’s nothing new anymore. The other guys couldn’t bear this boredom either and called in 「Beings from Another World」, but in the end they faced this disaster.

Boredom.

The tedium felt by beings who live eternal lives.

To soothe that, the Great Ones summoned beings from another world—Evil Deities—to this world.

And the result was….

[…Precisely, the downfall of the ancient era and the Rashutku Empire.]

Drip-.

As soon as the Prime Minister’s words ended, a terrible and persistent silence filled the waterway.

“….”

“….”

Adelia and Balhwan closed their mouths with shocked expressions.

As if they couldn’t believe it, they simply stared at the Prime Minister.

[Do you understand now?]

The Prime Minister slowly turned his head.

[Why I call them ‘old things’.]

“….”

Muwolcha remained silent.

She would already know through other routes why the Evil Deities came to intervene in this dimension.

However.

She seemed surprised by the fact that a being from the Lower Realm knew the inside story in such detail.

Of course, she probably already had some idea from when the Prime Minister said ‘old things’ last night.

“Th-that can’t be….”

Adelia muttered with a trembling voice.

“The Great Ones summoned the Evil Deities themselves? What on earth does that mean?”

[I cannot reveal the detailed circumstances. Just know that this incident is the reason why the souls of the Empire’s citizens became bound to this Imperial Palace.]

The Prime Minister slowly shook his head.

[After His Majesty the Emperor learned this truth, he came to harbor deep distrust toward The Ancients.]

“….”

[Those who summoned the Evil Deities. He realized they were no different from the Evil Deities themselves.]

The Prime Minister’s voice sank with loneliness.

[Therefore, His Majesty made a decision. To prevent the souls of the Empire’s citizens from being dragged to the Heavenly Realm, he placed a curse on the entire Imperial Palace.]

“….”

[He judged it better to remain here rather than become servants of The Ancients. He bound all souls here—himself, countless retainers and citizens… all of them to this place.]

The Prime Minister let out a long sigh.

[That is why we have yet to find peace.]

Silence flowed.

Heavy air pressed down on the group.

“However.”

At that moment, I spoke up.

“Didn’t you ask us to break the Imperial Palace’s curse?”

[….]

The Prime Minister hesitated.

After wavering for a moment, he slowly nodded.

[…That’s correct.]

Resolve filled his voice.

[Thousands of years have passed. I and countless citizens of the Empire have suffered trapped here for far too long.]

The Prime Minister paused briefly before carefully continuing.

[I know this goes against His Majesty’s will, and I am sorry for it.]

“….”

[However, a prime minister is fundamentally one who leads state affairs by following the people’s will. For thousands of years, countless souls have suffered. They desire peace.]

Deep anguish permeated his voice.

[I can no longer… simply follow His Majesty the Emperor’s arbitrary decision. When the people’s will desires this, as prime minister I cannot turn away from their wishes.]

The Ghost Prime Minister looked at us with earnest eyes.

[Please, break this curse.]

“….”

[If you do so, all the treasures of this Imperial Palace will become yours.]

* * *

“…is the conversation they’re having.”

Mutter mutter-.

Balhwan carefully relayed the situation inside the sewer.

The group huddled together in the Imperial Palace restroom listened with solemn expressions to the story conveyed through The Boy in the White Robe’s mouth.

“The Great Ones summoned the Evil Deities, and the Emperor who learned of this placed a curse, you say….”

Jeungmu muttered quietly.

“…Moreover, the reason being to avoid meeting The Great Ones in the Heavenly Realm. I have no idea what kind of situation this is.”

Psshh-.

A faint steam sound leaked from his body.

‘Hmm?’

Right then, Jeungmu’s gaze fixed on one person.

Pean.

Despite being unable to see, he was tilting his head toward somewhere. His expression was also gradually hardening.

‘Did he realize something?’

Jeungmu wondered inwardly.

Pean had once explored the Rashutku Ruins together with Gaon.

Perhaps he had found some connection point in the Prime Minister’s story?

“This is….”

However.

Upon hearing Pean’s following words, Jeungmu realized his expectation was completely off the mark.

“…It seems we have uninvited guests.”

Killing intent flickered across Pean’s face.

He had been tense about something else entirely.

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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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