Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 64

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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 64

Episode 64. Haewolsumo (2)

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Each dungeon of the Lost Elder has different entry conditions.

For example, the “Abandoned Factory” in Dungarrd, the Dark City requires either using high agility stats to climb the factory walls or using strength stats to break down the rusted iron doors.

The “Corpse Exhibition” in Merirose is the same.

To enter the Special Gallery, you absolutely had to form a party of three or more people.

That’s why I had brought Sikan Bauer along.

Of course, I couldn’t be certain that the game’s entry conditions would work exactly the same way now, but there was no harm in being prepared.

‘Well, in that sense…’

〔Forest of the Heavenly Sea: You have entered the ‘Hidden Dungeon’.〕

The conditions for entering this place, the “Forest of the Heavenly Sea,” were as follows:

『Accompany a member of the Noble Families.』

This first condition was mandatory.

Without a member of the Noble Families, it would be impossible to dispel the high-level barrier blocking the forest.

If I hadn’t been with Adelia, I wouldn’t have even been able to pass the dungeon entrance.

‘And…’

『Bring along a mage of 5th rank or higher.』

The second condition wasn’t mandatory.

It was merely an additional condition that players had arbitrarily added.

‘…Well, it still greatly reduces the difficulty of clearing it, so it’s considered a ‘practically’ essential condition.’

In the end, it meant you needed to fulfill both conditions to properly clear the Abyssal Forest Dungeon.

‘So originally I was thinking of visiting the Adventurer’s Guild to hire a mage…’

Ta-da.

At perfect timing, a 7th rank mage had rolled right into my lap.

And with a top-tier stealth item, no less.

‘You walked right into my trap, you bastard.’

I smiled inwardly while looking at Isaac Berillov’s back.

Could there be such a thoughtful guy? Appearing at exactly the moment I needed him.

【Lv. 80】

【Lv. 71】

‘Anyway.’

A level 80 senior knight. And even a 7th rank mage.

Though it was less impressive compared to the Corpse Exhibition, it was still sufficient personnel to clear the Forest of the Heavenly Sea.

Having finished that thought, I looked forward again.

“…”

I could see a dark red forest.

As soon as we passed through the barrier, the atmosphere around us changed completely in an instant.

Sensing the eerie aura from all directions, the party instinctively raised their guard and took combat stances.

Shing-!

Adelia drew her sword.

And Isaac Berillov also began gathering mana so he could deploy magic at any time.

“This is strange.”

Adelia looked around with wary eyes.

“The Forest of the Heavenly Sea I remember wasn’t like this…”

“It’s a phenomenon caused by Haewolsumo’s corruption.”

“Ah.”

“It’s nothing special. It’s just trying to kill us.”

“…?”

Pause-.

Adelia looked at me with a rather bewildered expression.

As if asking how this situation could be ‘nothing special.’

‘But Adelia.’

Try playing Lost Elder about 200 times.

A situation where one divine beast is trying to kill you really is nothing special.

‘…There are even shitty situations where you have to face five divine beasts at once.’

Anyway.

As I mentioned before, Haewolsumo was a sedentary divine beast.

The forest where countless lives breathed was Haewolsumo’s lifelong habitat.

Thanks to spreading its mana for thousands of years and nurturing various flora and fauna, this territory was already like one body with the creature.

‘In other words…’

If Haewolsumo set its mind to it, this entire massive ‘forest’ could target our lives.

…Just like now.

“Ugh!”

Adelia frowned and covered her nose. Isaac Berillov also couldn’t hide his displeasure.

“Where is that rotten smell coming from…”

A stench incomparable to the fishy smell wafted from all directions.

Right.

Finally, the dungeon’s first phase was beginning.

Splash-!

“…!”

Suddenly, my entire body sank down.

My chest felt tight. Every breath made my lungs feel like they were tearing, and my vision began to ripple like waves.

It felt like being buried at the bottom of the deep abyss.

Ding-!

〔Status Ailment: You have been afflicted with Submersion.〕

Submersion.

Literally a wide-area debuff that turns a certain range into something like being underwater.

Those trapped in this area not only can’t breathe, but their entire body feels as heavy as cotton soaked in water.

“…!”

Was it because this was such a rare status ailment?

Adelia seemed quite flustered by this unfamiliar situation.

She opened and closed her mouth, but no voice came out.

Only small bubbles rose between her parted lips.

Whooom-!

At that moment, a faint light flashed from Isaac Beriloff’s hand.

Simultaneously, I felt fresh air seeping into my lungs.

‘Underwater breathing magic.’

Those who conquer the Abyssal Forest Dungeon must face enemies while remaining submerged from start to finish.

And low-level mages cannot handle the amount of mana required to maintain underwater breathing for extended periods.

‘That’s why you need at least a 5th-tier mage or higher when conquering the dungeon.’

Of course, spell scrolls could be used as substitutes, but aside from the cost, constantly activating scrolls during combat was cumbersome.

It meant that somehow securing a skilled mage was the best option.

Thinking about it again, Isaac Beriloff walking in on his own was tremendous luck.

“Gasp, huff!”

Adelia collapsed to the floor and began breathing heavily.

Coughing violently like someone who had just been pulled from water.

“Wh-what is this… what…”

She continued coughing while looking around with a bewildered expression.

Her face showed complete confusion about the situation.

I briefly explained for her benefit.

“The nature of the mana floating in the air has changed to be like water.”

“…!”

One of Haewolsumo’s abilities.

Not simply imbuing mana with attributes, but changing the very ‘nature’ of mana itself into liquid water.

It was truly a mysterious power that overturned the laws of the world.

It was also an unconventional ability that could only be unleashed within the domain Haewolsumo had cultivated over thousands of years.

“Hah…”

Upon hearing this, Isaac Beriloff let out a shocked laugh.

“…I’ve never heard of such an ability.”

As a mage belonging to Wintershield, he would know well how absurd it was to change the nature of mana.

However, this wasn’t a situation where ‘common sense’ applied.

Because…

‘Well, the opponent is a divine beast.’

Divine beasts are sacred creatures born inheriting part of the Elders’ divine power.

Naturally, their abilities had to transcend our common sense.

‘But it’s still too early to be surprised.’

…The trials we had to overcome still had a long way to go.

Kwaaaaaa─!

The menacing sound of water from nearby.

Before long, schools of fish began swarming from all directions.

Steel-hard silver scales. The sharp spines on their upper snouts were like well-sharpened spears.

Monsters that resembled marlin.

I muttered their names in my mind.

‘…Spear Fish.’

【Lv. 35】

Actually, the Spear Fish’s level itself wasn’t that high.

Looking at individual specimens, they were at a level I could handle sufficiently.

The problem was their numbers.

Dozens… no, perhaps hundreds of marlin began surrounding us and rotating in circles.

Kwaaaaaa-!

It felt like being trapped in the center of a storm.

I could feel my body’s center swaying back and forth due to the fierce currents created by the Spear Fish.

‘…This is already troublesome.’

Facing enemies that swam freely through the air like this was never easy.

Especially in a situation where breathing and movement were already restricted.

Even when controlling game characters with keyboard and mouse, it was frustratingly difficult, so how much worse would reality be?

‘To make matters worse, my current state is still only at the level of an ordinary mercenary.’

Adelia and Isaac Beriloff had excellent stats. So they could move relatively easily even in this situation.

But I was different from them.

The only situation where I could be helpful was when using【Soul of the Sword Master】… that is, when the boss Haewolsumo revealed itself.

In situations like now, surrounded by small fry, staying quiet was the best strategy. If I overestimated my abilities and acted rashly, I might meet with disaster.

Of course, with【Ultimate Auto-Parrying】evolved into a 10-star skill, the probability of meeting a futile end was low, but…

‘…I have no intention of wasting my trump card just to deal with a school of Spear Fish.’

Therefore, what I needed to do was clear.

“Isaac Beriloff.”

“Yes.”

“Hand over Tristan’s Cloak.”

“…?”

Isaac Beriloff made a rather bewildered expression.

I ignored it and urged him on.

“Why are you hesitating? Do you intend to refuse my order?”

“H-here it is.”

Rustle-.

When I glared threateningly, Isaac Beriloff hastily handed over the cloak tied at his waist.

As I put it on, a notification window appeared in the corner of my vision.

〔Item: ‘Tristan’s Cloak’ has been equipped.〕

〔You enter stealth mode.〕

The cloak wrapping my body became hazy like mist. At the same time, I felt the strange sensation of my ‘presence’ evaporating.

As a test, I quietly moved my body to the side. Isaac Beriloff’s gaze remained fixed on where I had originally been standing.

It meant Tristan’s Cloak effect was working properly.

‘I can just slip out of the encirclement like this.’

Although one prey had disappeared before their eyes, the Spear Fish showed no signs of concern.

It was probably because they weren’t particularly intelligent monsters to begin with.

Kwaaaaaaa─!

Just then, the school of Spear Fish began gradually tightening their encirclement.

The creatures, having finished their hunting preparations, began charging one by one like arrows.

“Hup!”

Adelia swung her sword.

Her sword, emitting a blue-green light, sliced through the air.

Slash-!

The Spear Fish that had been charging at terrifying speed was cut down like paper.

Though they were fish species famous for their hard scales, the level difference between the two was so extreme that it meant nothing.

Kwaaaaaaa-!

However, the endless wave assault was definitely not a situation Adelia could handle alone.

If it had been a battle on land, perhaps. But with movements like floundering in water, the stamina consumption was too great.

‘Still, there’s no need to worry.’

Because beside Adelia was…

Kwaaang──!

…Isaac Beriloff, a 7th-tier mage.

Zzzejejejejeok-!

The air distorted with a bone-chilling cold.

Like a winter lake freezing over, the ‘submerged’ air began to crystallize instantly.

Transparent mana particles transformed into crystals, emitting brilliant light.

White frost bloomed along the path where the Spear Fish had been charging, and several were trapped in ice, unable to move and fainting.

At that moment.

“Hup…!”

Kwadeuk-!

Adelia swung her sword.

Her sword, fully imbued with aura, shattered the frozen Spear Fish.

Adelia made an inwardly impressed expression and glanced sideways at Isaac Beriloff while muttering quietly.

“Not bad, for a heretic.”

“…Haa, ha.”

Isaac Beriloff exhaled heavily while adjusting his glasses. Misty frost was beginning to form on the lenses.

His face was drenched in sweat. The mana consumption was severe from casting both underwater breathing magic and freezing magic.

Still, the magic’s effect was definite.

Perhaps startled by the sudden temperature change? The Spear Fish didn’t rashly attack and began slowly circling around us again.

‘Now’s the time.’

I didn’t miss that opportunity and began to move.

Swish-.

Thanks to the powerful stealth effect of Tristan’s cloak, no one could perceive my presence.

Though I felt resistance like moving underwater, I maintained composure and moved slowly.

‘Now I need to break through that encirclement…’

Kwaaaaaaaaa-!

A school of Spear Fish rushing like a massive tsunami.

I cut through the sharp currents and pushed my body between them.

‘…Let’s do this.’

As I squeezed through the dense gaps, one passed right beside me.

A distance of not even a few centimeters. However, I didn’t panic and twisted my body with minimal movement to dodge that spear-like beak.

Another one blocked my path.

Silver scales flashed past before my eyes, but I read the flow and naturally slipped through the gap.

A sensation like swimming between blades.

I moved my body like sliding along with the whirlpool’s flow.

Not going against the violent currents, but persistently moving along the path visible between them.

Kwaaaaaa-!

Perhaps this too could be called swordsmanship?

After all, the essence of swordsmanship was reading and dodging the opponent’s attacks. And then slipping the blade through those gaps.

What I was doing now wasn’t much different.

Understanding the Spear Fish’s movements, utilizing the empty spaces between them to advance. And becoming a sword myself to pierce through the enemy’s attacks and move forward.

I just wasn’t swinging a sword. I was perfectly calculating the opponent’s breathing, spacing, and combat path.

Perhaps that was… the ultimate form of ‘swordsmanship.’

Tiring-!

〔Agility has greatly increased.〕

〔Level has increased. (32→33)〕

“Phew…”

When I came to my senses, I had completely escaped the encirclement.

A pleasant message appeared before my eyes.

Looking at Adelia and Isaac in the distance earnestly fighting the school of Spear Fish, I thought to myself.

‘Good luck, kids.’

While you’re working hard here buying time by fighting them…

‘I’ll go deal with the culprit behind this incident and return.’

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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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