Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 61

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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 61

Episode 61. Secret Contact (2)

* * *

Scratch, scratch-.

A patient room bathed in warm sunlight.

Sikan Bauer sat in a chair beside the bed, writing an investigation report.

It was to record the urgent mission that Jark von Haibrunn had left for during Gaon’s divine trial.

“I’m almost finished now.”

Sikan Bauer muttered this and briefly stopped writing. Then he began organizing the content he had written so far.

“To summarize what Lord Haibrunn testified at the end…”

Central City Centruum.

The sanctuary located in the uncharted wilderness near it, the Heavenly Sea Forest.

Activity from the “Five Nightmares” was suspected there, and Jark von Haibrunn had departed alone on a mission to confirm this.

“And Lord Haibrunn judged that it would take several more months before the divine trial was held, so he left on the mission during that time, correct?”

“Yes.”

Jark answered briefly.

“I couldn’t let the clue about the ‘Five Nightmares’ slip away after finally finding it.”

“…”

Nod-.

Hearing this, Sikan Bauer nodded silently.

Originally, it would have been a reasonably sound judgment.

After all, it usually took several months just for a Sword Master to respond to a summons, and divine trials themselves typically dragged on due to complicated procedures.

But that ‘reasonable judgment’ had spectacularly backfired this time.

It was because Heukgol had arrived exceptionally early, and even the divine trial had ended in less than a day.

“To make matters worse, the rumors about the ‘Five Nightmares’ appearing were false… and so you hurriedly returned to Middle Temple after hearing news that the trial had ended.”

Jark maintained his silence.

It didn’t seem particularly pleasant to hear from someone else’s mouth that his investigation had been fruitless.

Sikan Bauer continued writing something more in his notebook, then gave a short nod.

“Confirmed. Thank you once again for taking the time despite your valuable schedule.”

“…Is this the end of the investigation?”

“Yes. I will refer well to what Lord Haibrunn has told us and conclude the investigation here.”

“Good work.”

“Lord Haibrunn is the one who worked hard despite being unwell. Then I shall take my leave now.”

With those words, Sikan Bauer bowed politely and left the patient room.

Creak, thud-.

The sound of the door closing. At the same time, Jark, who had maintained an indifferent expression until now, furrowed his brow.

“Urgh…!”

Jark von Haibrunn clutched his arm.

It had already been five days since his severed right arm was reattached.

Although there were no major problems with daily life, phantom pain that occasionally visited tormented him.

─My child.

Whenever pain came, whispers echoed in Jark’s ears.

The Heavenly Sea Forest he had visited for his mission.

The Evil Deity’s temptation that had come from within that pitch-black fog.

That’s right.

Although he had told the investigation leader that he found nothing unusual… Jark had directly encountered one of the “Five Nightmares” and an Evil Deity there.

─Take my hand. Then you will be able to grasp what you desire.

Jark bit his lips tightly as he recalled those sweet whispers.

‘I…’

Jark had a long-held dream.

‘…wanted to become a Sword Master.’

Other Paladin peers had long since felt their limits and given up.

But Jark was different.

He had clear talent.

“…”

Unfortunately, that talent had instead become shackles that bound Jark.

The final step to becoming a transcendent.

For decades he had tried to overcome that high wall, but Jark could only continue repeating the same steps in place.

Even so, he never gave up hope until the end. Believing that someday he could fill this insufficient gap.

…But that hope was shattered in an instant.

‘Gaon.’

His body trembled every time he recalled the battle with that guy.

The sword strike unleashed in a fleeting moment.

That speed which his own two eyes could never follow.

─Disappointing.

Doubt arose for the first time.

─Is this truly the skill of one called the fortress of Middle Temple?

Could he really reach the realm of transcendence even if he devoted his remaining lifetime?

‘No…’

It was impossible.

Jark instinctively realized it. The fact that with his remaining lifespan, he could never catch up to that person’s realm.

The moment he realized that the gap he thought was only a speck short was actually as far as the difference between heaven and earth.

It felt as if all the efforts he had built up were crumbling down in an instant.

‘But…’

Clench-.

Veins bulged on the back of Jark’s clenched fist.

‘…It’s not like there’s no method at all.’

The voice he had heard in the forest echoed in his ears once again.

If his own talent was insufficient, he would overcome the wall even if it meant borrowing someone else’s power.

Without fail.

* * *

〔Hidden Message: Causality is being twisted.〕

〔Hidden Message: Jark von Haibrunn’s corruption is being accelerated.〕

* * *

Dungarrd, the Dark City.

Bertas, the Free City.

Wintershield, the Magic City.

Centerium, the Central City.

These were the “Four Great Cities” established across this vast continent.

However, unlike the other great cities known to the public, not many knew of Middle Temple’s existence.

‘Because the Noble Families thoroughly hid the city’s true identity.’

Doesn’t power exert its greatest force when hidden in the shadows?

The Noble Families knew this fact all too well.

The more veiled an existence, the greater the reverence it inspires, and the more concealed the influence, the more powerfully it operates.

The sole channel for direct communication with the Elders. To maintain this monopolistic position, Middle Temple concealed its existence.

This was why members of the Noble Families controlled information, protected bloodlines, and conducted covert activities.

All the noble justifications they put forward were nothing but excuses. Middle Temple ultimately hid the Holy City to protect their vested interests.

‘Anyway…’

Step, step-.

Reflecting on this fact, I moved forward while looking around.

‘…We arrived in five days.’

Centerium, the Central City.

Nominally one of the “Four Great Cities,” but in reality, this place was practically a satellite city of Middle Temple.

A veil to conceal the Holy City. At the same time, it served as a gateway connecting Middle Temple to the outside world.

Murmur murmur-.

The streets of Centerium were peaceful like any ordinary great city.

I could see merchants selling goods and children running around.

“Fresh fruit for sale!”

“Ahahaha!”

These people didn’t even know that the city they lived in was merely a disguise to hide a massive secret.

I glanced at Adelia.

Usually, she would look around with curious eyes, but today her expression was unusually indifferent.

“It seems you’ve visited Centerium frequently.”

“Yes.”

Adelia nodded.

“Since it’s close to the Holy City, I often came here for outings since childhood. Though it was only once or twice a year at most, and the places I could go were limited.”

This was a fact I already knew. After playing through about 200 cycles, you naturally learn such details.

Adelia knows the geography of Middle Temple and Centerium like the back of her hand.

That’s why it would be better to leave the navigation to Adelia. I might get confused about directions due to the gap between the game and reality.

“Adelia.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know any quiet back alleys where people don’t frequent?”

“…?”

Adelia tilted her head.

Her expression seemed to ask why I was suddenly asking such a thing.

“Of course I know such places…”

“Guide me there.”

Before Adelia could ask why, I added an explanation first.

“Someone has been tailing us for the past few days.”

“…!”

As soon as I finished speaking, Adelia flinched in surprise and widened her eyes.

There was no further conversation.

Adelia began leading the way without complaint.

“…”

Swish-.

I casually looked back while pretending to browse the marketplace.

An anomalous level stood out conspicuously among the ordinary people.

【Lv. 71】

The level display floated in empty air.

This meant only one thing.

The stalker tracking us was maintaining a stealth state.

‘…They’ve been persistently following us since the moment we left Middle Temple’s territory.’

Actually, someone at that level could be considered quite a skilled individual.

Breaking through the level 70 barrier was never an easy feat.

That’s because the 7th tier was a realm that only those called ‘prodigies’ could reach through desperate effort.

‘But…’

Even though I knew this fact intellectually, facing a level 71 opponent didn’t generate any sense of crisis.

‘…Why do they look so weak?’

Well.

I have been encountering too many monsters lately.

With level 80 and 90 enemies constantly appearing, ordinary opponents no longer evoke much interest.

Most importantly, there was another reason why I felt no tension at all…

‘You’re trying hard, Isaac Beriloff.’

…I had already figured out the identity of my pursuer long ago.

* * *

─Follow the thirteenth Sword Master. It would be good to understand what kind of person he is.

Isaac Beriloff recalled the instructions the Crimson Empress had given him a few days ago.

To investigate what kind of person the suddenly appeared thirteenth Sword Master was and what he was after.

To gather as much information as possible before the meeting took place.

That was Isaac’s mission.

─Take this cloak. Don’t get caught tailing him under any circumstances.

The Crimson Empress said this while handing him a precious item.

Tristan’s Cloak.

This was a sacred relic owned by the Shadow Sect, a divine artifact that had the effect of erasing the wearer’s presence.

It was impossible to ‘perceive’ someone wearing this cloak.

Even those with exceptional senses could barely detect it with their utmost concentration.

‘To lend me such a precious sacred relic…’

This showed how important the Crimson Empress considered this mission.

‘…I absolutely cannot be discovered.’

Murmur murmur-.

The bustling marketplace street.

Isaac, wearing the cloak, followed Gaon with a determined expression.

“…!”

Flinch-!

But the next moment, Isaac couldn’t help but be shocked.

Because Gaon suddenly turned around.

Those fierce eyes began staring directly at Isaac.

‘…It’s just a coincidence.’

Isaac steeled his resolve.

As long as he wore Tristan’s cloak, Gaon couldn’t see through his concealment.

Sure enough, Gaon soon turned his gaze elsewhere.

‘Phew…’

Isaac let out a sigh of relief and continued following behind Gaon.

How much more time had passed like this?

Gaon and Adelia, who had been wandering the streets, began entering a deserted back alley.

‘What?’

Isaac was flustered.

‘Why are they suddenly going into such a secluded place?’

After hesitating for a moment, he soon began following in Gaon’s footsteps.

Step-.

The moment he set foot into the dark, sparsely populated alley.

“How long do you plan to keep following us?”

Freeze-.

The ice-cold voice made Isaac freeze solid.

‘Wh-what…!’

Isaac, who raised his head, couldn’t help but be shocked.

Once again, Gaon was staring directly at him.

“It’s been about five days now, and I’m getting tired of being tailed.”

“…”

“Now stop and show yourself.”

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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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