Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 314

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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 314

Episode 314. Tarosk Subjugation Battle (2)

* * *

Those caught by Emperor Tarosk’s first offensive pattern don’t simply receive an instant death judgment.

‘They’re forcibly transported to a space separate from the Realm of the Dead.’

The name of that place is the Hall of Departed Souls.

The emperor’s most beloved royal guard. It was a kind of underworld where the souls of those elite soldiers were bound separately.

The sacrificed party member returns as an enemy when the second pattern, “Emperor’s Call,” activates. While consumed by the emperor’s necromancy.

‘That’s why the supporter sacrifice strategy was commonly used in Tarosk subjugation battles.’

Because there’s nothing more troublesome than having a tank or dealer return as an enemy.

It was much more advantageous to sacrifice a low-damage supporter instead.

‘But…’

By coincidence, an interesting fact was revealed in that process.

If you kill a supporter with spirit pacification skills, the Emperor’s Call itself becomes nullified.

‘Since all the souls of the royal guards bound in the Hall of Departed Souls achieve enlightenment, the very targets for necromancy disappear.’

From then on, ‘supporter sacrifice’ naturally became established as the most commonly used breakthrough method.

‘Of course…’

While the Emperor’s Call was indeed a tricky pattern, that didn’t mean you absolutely had to skip it by sacrificing a supporter.

If you had a party composition capable of handling mass assaults, breaking through head-on was also an option.

The same was true for us now.

Balhwan, Jeungmu, and even Adelia.

With this level of power, it was possible to get through Tarosk’s first phase smoothly.

I also couldn’t use【Soul of the Sword Master】carelessly since I needed to conserve MP, but with my basic stats having risen considerably, I could be of sufficient help.

Above all, with【Soul Slaying】, I could respond to necromancy as well.

‘Even so…’

The reason I deliberately sacrificed Muwolcha to skip the “Emperor’s Call” was.

Precisely to accelerate her growth.

‘Just like when Strawberry Latte first possessed someone.’

Back then, I used The Adversary in reverse to help him grow.

Thanks to that, Strawberry Latte was able to quickly establish himself in Wintershield.

This time was the same.

Leveling up in Roel is based on insights gained through repetitive actions, training, or actual combat.

It’s not a system where you grow because you leveled up, but where you level up because you’ve grown.

In that case…

‘…What if she performs spirit pacification against thousands of the emperor’s royal guards in the “Hall of Departed Souls”?’

Need I say more?

Each one would become a stack that returns, and Muwolcha would be able to achieve tremendous growth.

‘It’s truly the optimal training environment.’

[Muwolcha] : ☑

I already knew that Muwolcha had successfully arrived at the Hall of Departed Souls.

Because I received a note from her earlier.

‘And seeing that the necromancy casting was canceled…’

The spirit pacification must have succeeded as well.

Ding-!

Sure enough, a new note from Muwolcha arrived shortly after.

[Muwolcha] : (b˙◁˙)b

‘…Looks like everything went well.’

Seeing that she even added an emoticon that Strawberry Latte might use, she seems to have achieved quite satisfactory results.

Good.

With this, I had used everything available for this Tarosk subjugation battle.

Which means.

Now it was time to stop using tricks and begin the full-scale raid.

‘Of course, since I’ve worked hard up until now…’

…I was thinking of resting a bit now and leaving the combat to the others.

* * *

Whoooosh-.

Steam erupted from Jeungmu’s body.

‘Finally.’

The final gateway of the imperial palace conquest.

Jeungmu’s eyes sank quietly as he stood before it.

There was something that had become even more solid while conquering this Rashutku Imperial Palace.

Namely, his faith in Gaon.

Now he seemed to understand why Pean had trusted Gaon so unwaveringly.

Just look at right now. Wasn’t every situation flowing exactly as Gaon had explained in last night’s meeting?

‘…There’s no room for doubt anymore.’

Jeungmu felt that his trust in Gaon had been built up to the very end.

Was that why?

Now.

He was thoroughly following what Gaon had requested in the meeting.

‘Never look at the sky.’

The instruction that something would appear when battle began, and not to look up at the sky then.

Gaon hadn’t explained the detailed reason.

He only said that it was a type of mental attack and that you wouldn’t take damage if you didn’t look.

Gwaaaaaang gwaaaaaang──!

Right at that moment.

A bizarre cry shook the entire underground space.

A roar that seemed to tear the ears.

An instinctive impulse to raise his head arose.

However, Jeungmu absolutely did not look up.

With his gaze fixed straight ahead, he only glared at Emperor Tarosk.

“Ugh, uaaaah!”

“Wh-what, what is that thing…!”

Tremble tremble-.

A few expedition members with insufficient self-control looked up at it and collapsed right there…

‘…Those aren’t core to the conquest, so it doesn’t matter.’

Jeungmu judged coldly.

The expedition members wouldn’t participate in battle anyway.

Their role was to investigate the ruins after the curse was lifted.

Whoooooosh-!

Steam burst forth once again.

Thud thud thud—!

Power surged into the four legs that had transformed into those of a warhorse.

The tremendous pressure caused the ground to cave in completely.

The stone flooring began to crack finely.

“Then I’ll leave the rear to you, Balhwan.”

“…Understood.”

A brief reply came back.

That was enough.

Kuuuuuuung—!

Jeungmu began his lance charge.

Clatter, clatter, clatter—!

The sound of hoofbeats echoed loudly.

A massive iron cavalry charging toward the emperor like a comet.

The proteum armor glowed red-hot as it expelled heat, with white steam trailing long behind it.

[How dare…!]

Emperor Tarosk drove his greatsword into the ground.

Kugugugugugu—!

A dark red barrier bloomed around him.

Layers upon layers of aura wrapped around the emperor.

However.

Jeungmu didn’t slow down, instead concentrating his power even more into a single point.

Kwaaaaaaaang——!

The lance collided with the barrier.

Shockwaves spread in all directions.

Crackle crackle crackle—!

The ground twisted, and debris scattered everywhere.

Even so, Jeungmu didn’t stop.

He continued pounding his hooves, pressing Tarosk relentlessly.

[Kruuuuuuk…!]

Thud thud thud—!

The barrier shook, and cracks spread like a spider web.

‘This isn’t enough.’

A split-second judgment.

Click, click, click, click—!

Soon the Thousand Changes began to transform.

The sharp spear tip disassembled, then instantly reassembled into a circular saw blade.

Whiiiiiiiing—!

The circular saw blade began spinning at high speed.

Kagagagagagagagak—!

The saw blade ground straight into the barrier.

Shaved fragments flew in all directions like sparks, and the barrier’s cracks spread uncontrollably.

[Thousand Changes…!]

Bloody light flickered in Emperor Tarosk’s eye sockets.

[…Rotten bastards! Did you even steal the sacred relic of the ancient ascetics who once protected the empire!]

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Jeungmu replied calmly.

“This divine weapon is a sword I received directly from The Great Ones.”

[What…! That’s complete nonsense…!]

Crash—!

Emperor Tarosk’s words were cut off.

Because the barrier had completely shattered.

Jeungmu’s saw blade barely grazed the emperor’s armor, and sparks flew from the rusted iron plate.

[Kh, kheuk…!]

Tarosk hastily retreated backward.

Swish—!

As if waiting for this moment, Balhwan moved.

Heukya sliced through the air.

The girl in black robe’s sword traced a sharp trajectory like a crescent moon, while on the opposite side, the white boy wielding Baekya simultaneously unleashed his strike.

Slash—!

And Adelia.

Her meteor sword emitted a blue-green light as it pierced into Tarosk’s flank.

Kagagagang—!

Three sword strikes simultaneously hammered the emperor’s armor.

[Kraaaaak!!]

Stumble—.

Tarosk staggered greatly.

Fragments fell from his rusted armor, and the dark red aura surrounding his body became disheveled.

‘…It’s over.’

Jeungmu realized it from the first exchange.

Emperor Tarosk was strong.

But his teammates’ current power was sufficient to overwhelm him.

Just as Gaon had promised in last night’s meeting.

Having successfully conquered the three trials, the Tarosk subjugation battle could only end in success.

* * *

The most difficult trial in Rashutku Imperial Palace is breaking through the curse mechanic. And clearing all three trials simultaneously within the short margin of 3 minutes.

‘On the other hand.’

The boss battle with Emperor Tarosk wouldn’t be much of a problem as long as they had pure martial power.

Balhwan, Jeungmu, and even Adelia.

With this kind of combination, they could easily clear most dungeon bosses.

Therefore….

‘…The outcome is a predetermined sequence.’

Kuuuung—!

Emperor Tarosk fell to his knees.

His massive frame collapsed to the ground, shaking the entire underground chamber.

The greatsword slipped from his hands. The weapon he had wielded with resentment for thousands of years rolled powerlessly across the floor.

Cough—!

Dark red blood flowed from between Emperor Tarosk’s lips.

[Truly….]

Wiping the blood from his mouth with his hand, he opened his mouth as if squeezing out his last strength.

[…Do you truly not know what atrocity you are committing.]

The light shining from within his helmet began to gradually dim.

That red glow filled with rage flickered faintly like a dying candle.

[Even if you blindly trust the Ancients….]

Cough, cough—.

Black blood poured out once more.

[All that awaits your return… is nothing but a miserable end…]

With those final words.

Crumble, crash—!

Emperor Tarosk’s form completely collapsed.

The body that had endured for thousands of years through the curse had finally reached its limit.

Crumble—.

His armor turned to ash and scattered.

The blood-red aura was blown away by the wind and disappeared.

And nothing remained in that spot.

“….”

“….”

Though they had successfully completed the subjugation, the party’s expressions weren’t particularly bright.

They too understood what Emperor Tarosk’s final words meant.

The background of how the ancient era came to ruin.

And the fact that this world’s rush toward its end was due to the Elders’ own doing.

Before that truth, everyone couldn’t hide their troubled expressions.

Just then.

Ding—!

Notification windows began pouring out before my eyes.

〔You have cleared the Ruins of Rashutku: ‘Imperial Palace’.〕

〔Calculating contribution level….〕

〔Your contribution has been ranked 1st among all participants.〕

Ding, ding, ding—!

〔Reward: You have obtained the title ‘Liberator of Rashutku’.〕

〔Reward: You have obtained ‘Ownership of Rashutku Imperial Palace’.〕

〔Reward: All legacy of the Rashutku Empire is now subordinate to you.〕

…

〔Your deeds will be added to the ‘Hall of the Great Ones’.〕

My brow furrowed.

That mysterious message had appeared once again.

‘The Hall of the Great Ones…’

Swish—.

But I didn’t think deeper about it and closed the system window.

Because what mattered now wasn’t the rewards.

‘It’s not over yet.’

…Outside the Imperial Palace, someone was waiting for us.

* * *

Thud, thud—.

Footsteps echoed quietly.

The ruins of the empire, transformed into ruins by thousands of years.

Cold wind blew between the collapsed buildings.

“….”

The Golem Knight walked silently.

His red glowing eyes slowly swept the surroundings.

The remains of the collapsed temple.

Stone statues broken beyond recognition.

Even the plaza scattered with rusted objects whose original forms were hard to guess.

“Huu.”

Once, this place had been the heart of the empire.

A place where countless people came and went, where laughter overflowed.

But.

Now, not a trace of any life could be felt.

It was while the Golem Knight was lost in old memories.

Whoooosh──!

“…?”

Stop—.

Just then.

The surroundings suddenly brightened.

Buildings that had been trapped in darkness for thousands of years began emitting dazzling light.

The Golem Knight’s footsteps stopped as he watched that scene.

“….”

After silently staring at the light for a moment, he began moving again.

Thud, thud──.

Toward the Imperial Palace.

With slow but resolute steps.

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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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