Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 56

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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 56

Episode 56. Jark von Haibrunn (1)

* * *

“Phew…”

After leaving the infirmary and returning to the Guest Hall, I fell into deep thought.

My head was spinning with complexity.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I let out a deep sigh and carefully mulled over The Saintess’s warning.

‘I followed the original game’s starting sequence exactly.’

Lost Elder was fundamentally a single-player RPG.

Of course, it supported multiplayer features in some content, but the main scenario could only be progressed alone.

In that sense, as the first person possessed into this world, I followed the main scenario’s starting sequence exactly.

I opened my eyes at the Underground Arena, the tutorial point for sword characters, and met the human slayer there.

‘But what happens to other people?’

Barbarian the Slayer of Men, the tutorial boss, had been dead for a long time.

Moreover, the main scenario was already in full swing.

In this worldline that had already diverged so much from the original starting point, I couldn’t know how other Possessed Ones would be integrated.

‘That’s not the only unresolved question.’

What exactly is the trigger for possession?

They wouldn’t indiscriminately kidnap players. The purpose of possession was to save this world, after all.

Then let me slowly retrace the situation just before I was dragged into this world.

What was different from usual?

Was it obtaining the 12-star mythic hidden skill 【Soul of the Sword Master】? Or starting the 200th playthrough?

‘If obtaining a hidden skill is the condition for possession…’

That would actually be fortunate.

A reward obtained by dumping a whopping 179,312,341 points.

Of course, I couldn’t rule out the possibility of unlocking hidden skills with fewer points, but that hurdle wouldn’t be low.

Strawberry Latte, currently ranked 2nd, has nearly 30 million points but hasn’t even glimpsed a hidden skill, right?

If the trigger is demanding, the number of Possessed Ones would naturally be limited.

‘Then it would be easier to control the Possessed Ones. There would be many ways to utilize them too.’

I achieved such ridiculous accomplishments with just one 【Soul of the Sword Master】.

But what if players possessing other hidden skills were possessed? I could definitely achieve better results by cooperating with them.

Of course, all of this was hypothetical based on the premise that I could control the possessed players.

‘But…’

What if starting the 200th playthrough is the trigger for possession?

‘…This could be problematic.’

There are 50 players seriously dedicated to Roel in Korea alone.

Including those who don’t join chat rooms or communities and just casually enjoy the game, that number would be much higher.

Accumulating points is difficult.

But starting the 200th playthrough is by no means difficult.

You just need to increase playtime. This was a condition that could be met even by seating a chimpanzee in front of a computer.

‘Then as time passes, the number of Possessed Ones would naturally increase…’

And the variables I’d have to handle would increase accordingly.

‘Sigh.’

This is giving me a headache, seriously.

I pressed my head firmly while cursing internally.

In the midst of this, one player’s name casually crossed my mind.

‘…Strawberry Latte.’

Right.

Strawberry Latte.

I couldn’t guarantee who the next Possessed One would be, but in the current situation, that guy was the most likely candidate.

He ranked 2nd in the Hall of Fame and had played the second-most playthroughs after me.

‘That guy only raises mage characters.’

He was someone who habitually said other classes weren’t fun.

Even when doing concept plays, I remember he always set his base as a mage.

But here’s one point to note.

The mage’s tutorial point wasn’t the Underground Arena.

When all mages start the game, the first place they open their eyes is…

‘Wintershield Magic Academy.’

After finishing that thought, I let out a quiet sigh.

Perhaps all of this could be delusion.

The Saintess might have been trying to warn about something else. It meant there was a possibility I was barking up the wrong tree.

Still, let me prepare for now. It’s more comfortable to thoroughly eliminate all risk factors.

Besides, Wintershield was a place I had to visit anyway, and visiting there wouldn’t disrupt the plans I had set.

‘Of course, there are things I need to handle first before going to Wintershield.’

Thorough preparation was needed to face the monster sleeping there.

Knock knock-.

And I still had some business left in Middletemple.

“Come in.”

* * *

The person who came to the Guest Hall was Arwen.

I had requested a conversation with him first. Saying I had something I wanted to discuss.

Arwen, wearing a good-natured smile, handed me a teacup and settled on the opposite sofa.

“Thanks to The Protagonist, the Goldhart Family’s prestige has risen.”

“…”

“Especially the interest in Adelia is quite heated. Not only did she become a Sword Master’s disciple within a month of leaving home, but she even received the Tyrant Dragon’s recognition.”

I answered briefly.

“It’s all thanks to that child’s outstanding talent.”

“Haha.”

Arwen smiled gently and took a sip of tea.

“When The Protagonist says such things, I don’t know where to put myself as someone responsible for the family.”

Arwen von Goldhart.

He had to shoulder the heavy burden of being family head from just past the age of twenty.

When his grandfather and father died in successive accidents, he found himself in the position of leading over dozens of Goldhart Family members.

During the decade or so that followed, Arwen worked tirelessly to preserve the family’s honor.

As a result, he unintentionally grew into a seasoned politician.

“However, this situation won’t continue for long.”

Being politically astute, Arwen would know well the situation that would unfold ahead. He continued in a calm voice.

“When The Protagonist leaves Middletemple with Adelia, our Goldhart Family’s influence will wither again. It’s somewhat concerning.”

Heavy silence filled the reception room.

Arwen’s concern was by no means unreasonable.

Even if Adelia received attention for becoming a Sword Master’s disciple, that was merely temporary glory.

‘Right now Adelia is receiving attention as a member of the Goldhart Family, but…’

As she accumulates achievements with me going forward, her identity will inevitably change.

People will gradually come to perceive her not as ‘Adelia of Goldhart’ but as ‘Adelia, disciple of the Sword Master.’

Especially if she leaves Middletemple, the Holy City, to roam the vast Continent.

Most importantly, the traditionalist councilors would try to change Adelia’s perception somehow. That way, the Goldhart Family’s influence would diminish.

“….”

I briefly recalled Middletemple’s political structure.

‘The Noble Families are largely divided into two factions.’

The Traditionalist Faction.

They sought to protect the existing order and power structure, and wanted to limit the Sword Masters’ authority as much as possible.

Above all else, their stance was that loyalty to The Elders and preserving the system that had continued for hundreds of years came first.

‘And….’

The Reformist Faction.

Led by Arwen, they argued that active change was necessary to respond to the crisis of the apocalypse.

They claimed that the world must be normalized even if it meant boldly overturning the existing system.

‘Naturally, I have to support the Reformist Faction.’

For the future’s sake, having Arwen become the center of power would be much more advantageous for me.

Because our mutual interests aligned perfectly.

‘But it’s impossible for now.’

The traditionalist senior councilors held power in the Holy City, and naturally Middletemple’s inclinations were closer to the traditionalists at this point in time.

Therefore, I had to somehow reverse the current situation.

If I didn’t, Middletemple’s interference might come into play with every single action I took from now on.

Having finished my assessment up to that point, I opened my mouth.

“I’ll help you.”

“…!”

Arwen’s eyes widened. He seemed not to have expected such a direct approach.

“Do you have a particular plan in mind?”

I nodded.

‘Of course I do.’

Didn’t I say before?

In this wonderful world overflowing with dreams and hope, there exists a means far more convenient and effective than persuasion.

Especially in Middletemple, there’s a special method that works very well….

“Kill the leader of the Traditionalist Faction.”

To restore stability to Middletemple, the Holy City, that hypocritical and vile old man had to be eliminated.

* * *

Haa, haak-.

The rough breathing echoing through the training ground gradually subsided.

Adelia bent her upper body forward as she caught her breath.

Sikan Bauer, who had been quietly watching this, expressed his genuine admiration.

“Your growth is truly remarkable, The Lady.”

Just a few months ago, he didn’t even get out of breath when facing Adelia.

But now the feeling was completely different.

Sharp attacks. And relentless flowing combinations.

Sikan Bauer could only win because he gave it his all.

‘I knew she had grown explosively under The Protagonist’s teachings, but… I never imagined it would be to this extent.’

The eyes of the Paladins surrounding the training ground to watch the sparring match were also filled with amazement.

“Unbelievable. Just a month ago, she wasn’t nearly this outstanding.”

“She always had exceptional potential though.”

“So there was indeed a reason she was chosen as the seeker’s disciple.”

“The rumors about being recognized by the Sword Master of the Raging Dragon were true.”

Murmur murmur-.

The praise coming from around her passed by Adelia’s ears.

In the old days, she might have secretly felt proud hearing those words.

But Adelia only looked at her reflection in her sword and closed her eyes tightly with regret.

‘…Still far from enough.’

Was it because she had seen someone who had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship?

Adelia felt her own achievements were endlessly insufficient.

However, there was no need for despair.

The month spent with The Protagonist.

During that short time, she knew better than anyone how greatly she had changed.

‘If I continue with The Protagonist in the future….’

That goal that had felt like an unreachable wall in the distance. Hope bloomed that the day she could stand shoulder to shoulder with Middletemple’s two great stars might not just be a dream after all.

“Interesting.”

Flinch-.

That was when it happened. The surrounding air suddenly froze.

Everyone gathered in the training ground stiffened in unison.

An enormous shadow fell along with tremendous pressure.

‘…Jark von Haibrunn.’

Adelia’s eyes widened.

A massive frame approaching 2 meters tall.

And a muscular old man gripping a thick executioner’s blade that boasted matching weight, walking slowly forward.

One of Middletemple’s two great stars, and the expert the Reformist Faction feared most. That giant was always at the center of the Traditionalist Faction.

“I hear your skills have improved considerably.”

Jark slowly lowered his great sword from his shoulder. The heavy metallic sound echoed through the training ground.

“How about having a match with this old man as well?”

* * *

“Y-Young master…!”

I was discussing future plans with Arwen when it happened.

Someone who appeared to be a retainer rushed urgently into the Guest Hall.

Arwen, whose conversation had been interrupted, seemed displeased as his brow twitched slightly.

“What’s the matter?”

“I-I apologize for interrupting your meeting with the noble one. The thing is….”

The retainer caught his breath and delivered shocking news.

“…L-Lord Haibrunn is with The Lady!”

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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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