The Crazy Battle God Has Returned - Chapter 12

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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A Mad Swordsman Returns – Chapter 12

My heart was crushed, and my entire body lay in tatters.
For an ordinary human, such injuries would mean instant death, but this had nothing to do with the Spirit of Blood Ghost.
As a spectral being, the concept of death did not apply to him.

“Ha! So this is what it feels like to be deceived by a con artist.”

All of the Spirit of Blood Ghost’s wounds had fully regenerated. His heart was no exception.
He could continue fighting if he wished. Yet the Spirit of Blood Ghost did not.
He had acknowledged his defeat.

[Your level has increased by 5 stages.]
[Strength +5, Agility +5, Stamina +5.]
[Due to the Mad Swordsman effect, Strength and Agility increase by +2, and Stamina increases by +1!]

Then a message appeared indicating a level increase.
The system had judged that the Spirit of Blood Ghost had been defeated.

“Your entire body was a mess, so I wondered why, but this was the reason?”
“I could have healed myself. I simply chose not to.”
“Should I call this audacious or insane?”

The Spirit of Blood Ghost was genuinely impressed.
Not healing his wounds upon entering must have been to trigger a buff.
I couldn’t determine exactly what it was, but Han Yu-sung possessed a buff that activated when his life hung by a thread.

‘The buff activated just as I was about to use Blood Dragon Rampage.’

That was why the Spirit of Blood Ghost hadn’t responded in time.
I had used Blood Dragon Rampage after fully grasping Han Yu-sung’s power. I believed the current him couldn’t counter this ultimate technique.
The problem was that when the buff activated, his power changed.
He became capable of countering Blood Dragon Rampage.
And he even had footwork techniques he’d deliberately hidden and saved.

“Unbelievable. Unless he somehow predicted I would use Blood Dragon Rampage, there’s no way he could prepare such a thorough counter….”
“….”

Spirit of Blood Ghost let out a scoff.
Han Yu-sung didn’t answer. He couldn’t claim he’d anticipated this because he’d fought before in his past life.
They would think him mad.
Instead of responding, he drank the Blood of the Troll Lord.

[Powerful vitality regenerates your body.]
[Final Spark extinguishes.]

A revolting taste lingered on my tongue. Moments later, my body began to regenerate rapidly. The wounds, the lost blood—everything.

‘I wouldn’t have done this without that item.’

Unyielding Will only activates when one’s life hangs by a thread.
Deliberately creating a life-threatening situation to trigger this buff was madness—something only someone who didn’t value their own life would do.
I’d only attempted it because I had the Blood of the Troll Lord as insurance.

‘This isn’t something I’ll do repeatedly.’

There would be almost no occasion to use it intentionally like this.
As Han Yu-sung recovered from his wounds and caught his breath, Spirit of Blood Ghost watched him with interest, replaying the battle that had just unfolded.
Then a clamorous message appeared before them both.

[“A remarkable battle! At this moment, I am moved!”]
[“Nameless trainee! You have proven yourself worthy! So take it! The treasure here, the legacy of my beloved Sworn Servant!”]

The message faded away.
Han Yu-sung and Spirit of Blood Ghost faced each other in an awkward silence.

“Then, since I’ve won, please grant me the promised reward.”
“Hmph, do you even know how many moves I let you have? If I’d fought at full strength, you’d have died without accomplishing anything.”
“But you can’t fight at full strength anyway because of the restrictions.”
“Damn brat.”

Spirit of Blood Ghost clicked his tongue and stepped forward.
His palm lightly touched my forehead.

“Fine, take it. You’ve proven yourself worthy, so you must receive what’s due.”

His tone made it sound like he was giving it away reluctantly.
Yet contrary to his words, a smile played at the corners of Spirit of Blood Ghost’s mouth.
An unwanted successor. One might say a successor arbitrarily chosen by the Lord.
But this successor pleased me far more than expected.
Most of all, what pleased me most was this.

‘This one carries the same scent as me.’

A kindred spirit, one might say.
That distinctive aura that only emanates from those consumed by the madness of combat.
A deep, crimson essence impossible to conceal.
That particularly captivated me.

‘At this level, there’s no harm in giving it.’

Such thoughts took hold.
So I decided to grant what I had originally intended to withhold as well.
Knowledge flowed into Han Yu-sung’s mind.

[The founder of the skill transmits knowledge to you….]
[You have mastered the complete ‘Crimson Wind Fist Art (S, Lv.6)’.]
[You have acquired the passive skill, ‘Spirit of Blood Ghost (S)’.]

But what was transmitted was not merely knowledge.
A crimson aura, like blood itself, flowed from Spirit of Blood Ghost’s body and seeped into Han Yu-sung.

[Crimson Wind Fist Art (S, Lv.6)]
· Classification: Active.
· A martial art founded by Spirit of Blood Ghost, consisting of four techniques. Since you have learned an incomplete version, you can only use two techniques.
· Effect: Strength +10, Attack Power +20%
· Special Effect: The more blood is shed, the stronger the skill’s damage becomes.
* Crimson Flash: Strike the opponent with a flash of crimson wind wrapped around your fist.
* Crimson Wind Chain Slash: Compress the crimson wind and release it upon striking the opponent.
* Crimson Wind Flow: Conjure wind to deflect the opponent’s attacks.
* Crimson Dragon Fang: Deceive the opponent’s vision with a feint, then unleash a powerful punch. The dragon’s fangs tear savagely into the opponent.

[Spirit of Blood Ghost (S)]
· Classification: Passive.
· The bloodline of a blood-thirsting specter flows through you.
· Blood Wind Fist Technique damage +40%, mana consumption –20%.
· Absorb life force and mana by defeating enemies. (Cooldown: 1 hour.)

A passive skill—Spirit of Blood Ghost.
This was a skill I had never obtained in my previous life. In my past existence, Han Yu-sung had acquired only a single skill: Blood Wind Fist Technique.
Of course, that had been sufficient for me back then.

“And there is one more thing.”

What was truly astonishing was that the rewards had not yet concluded.
As the Spirit of Blood Ghost waved his hand, blood-stained gauntlets erupted from the stone coffin.
The moment I beheld those gauntlets, the effect of Godly Ascension activated.

[You have succeeded in defeating an overwhelmingly superior opponent.]
[You have satisfied the activation condition for the unique ability ‘Godly Ascension’.]
[Strength increases by +2, and determination increases by +5!]
[The options of the item granted as an additional reward are enhanced!]

A message indicating additional rewards would be granted.
Light seeped into the blood-stained gauntlets. The Spirit of Blood Ghost tilted his head upon witnessing the light infuse the gauntlets, but soon paid it no further mind.

[Blood Soul Gauntlets (Legendary)]
· Slot: Weapon (Gauntlets)
· Attack Power: 90.
· Strength +8, unarmed combat skill damage +30%.
· Attack power +5%, critical strike chance +5%, armor penetration +5%. This effect strengthens each time blood is absorbed, stacking up to 6 times maximum.
· These gauntlets can have their attack power enhanced by infusing blood each time the owner reaches a certain level. (Maximum level: 80.)

They were gauntlets of the Legendary tier, no less.
This too was a reward I had never received in my previous life. Already an exceptional reward, it had been further strengthened by the effect of Godly Ascension.
Rewards beyond my expectations.
Yet my expression remained peculiar.

“Was the inheritance… originally this abundant?”
“What I intended to give was merely the Blood Wind Fist Technique, nothing more. Since you were not the successor I desired, I deemed that sufficient.”

But that thought changed.
Han Yu-sung’s skill had satisfied the Spirit of Blood Ghost.

“You possess talent. I grew curious about how far you could soar if I gave that talent wings. So I decided to indulge this whim. Well, once this dungeon disappears, I’ll achieve enlightenment, so there won’t be anything left to see.”
“….”

Han Yu-sung fell silent.
To put it differently, those words meant—

‘My past self didn’t meet the Spirit of Blood Ghost’s standards.’

A peculiar feeling stirred within me.
Come to think of it, there was nothing strange about falling short. In my previous life, when I conquered the Blood Ghost Tomb, I had been lacking in many ways.
Of course, the Han Yu-sung of that time and the Han Yu-sung of now were entirely different beings, so it no longer mattered.

“By the way, where is this place? Is it the world where I lived?”
“Probably not. This is a place called Earth.”
“Earth? I’ve never heard of such a place.”

The Spirit of Blood Ghost tilted his head.
Earth was not the only world chosen as a target for God’s Trial. Other worlds existed as well. The world where the Spirit of Blood Ghost lived must be one of them.

“Well, it doesn’t matter which world it is. Now go. I’ve found a successor to inherit my legacy, so I should finally rest.”
“I will use what you’ve given me well.”
“Do as you will.”

The Spirit of Blood Ghost’s form grew translucent and faded away.

“That’s something you must decide for yourself.”

The Spirit of Blood Ghost, now completely gone.
Those were his final words before vanishing.
A consistent man. His attitude was that what happened after his death mattered little to him.
Han Yu-sung bowed respectfully to the Spirit of Blood Ghost’s stone coffin, then turned away.
Everything I needed to do here was finished.

[“Nameless cultivator! Successor of the Spirit of Blood Ghost!”]
[“Would you consider making a contract with me, the Lord of Training? I swear I will cherish you more than any of my Sworn Servants of Justice. As much as the Spirit of Blood Ghost, whom I once favored!”]

So I was about to leave the tomb when a message appeared.
It was from the Lord of Training. Sending messages this way must consume quite a few coins, yet it seemed they had plenty to spare.
The Lord of Training is a decent Lord. But.

“I must decline.”
[“Hmm! I never expected to be rejected! The emotional wound cuts deeper than anticipated. This is my first time being turned down!”]

I had no intention of forming a contract.
Especially not now.

[“I must ask—why do you refuse the contract?”]
“I already have a Lord in mind.”
[“A Lord? Which Lord are you speaking of?”]

The Lord of Training asked, bewildered.
He possessed a legendary title. The Lord of Training was a respectable choice for a contract. To reject him and choose another Lord instead? The curiosity was undeniable.
What kind of Lord could it possibly be?

“A fallen Lord. I intend to aid the hunted prey.”
[“A fallen Lord? What in the world—”]

The answer was entirely unexpected.
The Lord of Training seemed eager to press further, but Han Yu-sung offered nothing more. He swiftly departed the now-silent Blood Ghost Tomb.
All that remained in the tomb was the Lord’s gaze.
Those eyes remained closed for a long while, lost in thought.

[“Fallen, hunted prey, hmm, yes… Aha! Could it be—!”]

The Lord’s eyes widened dramatically.
Within them burned disbelief, astonishment, and intrigue.
Only one Lord came to mind.

[“The Lord of War! You intend to contract with that woman!”]

The Lord defeated in repeated wars against the Lord of Justice.
The Lord of War, having exhausted her coins beyond the point of self-preservation, fled to survive.
Among the Lords, the speculation was that she had sealed herself within a sacred relic and fled to the Abandoned Dungeon.

[“Hahaha! How amusing! The legendary title of War certainly suits you! The only problem is that the Lord bearing that title has ten thousand tails!”]

The Lord of War is a failure.
A coward who fled rather than face a glorious death in defeat.
As the Lord of Training, I found no reason to respect such a Lord.
That such a Lord would propose a contract—it was precisely that which piqued my curiosity.

[“Truly fascinating, nameless Sworn Servant! I shall watch over you!”]

The Lord of Training vanished with a hearty laugh.
The masterless tomb fell into complete silence.

* * *

【Lord Hunting】.
It was a sort of private event that occurred during this period.
True to her epithet, the Lord of War delighted in waging war. She had challenged multiple Lords to battle and emerged victorious.
The problem was.

‘She had simply chosen the wrong opponent once.’

The Lord of War had declared war on the Lord of Justice, Achiros.
The war had begun before the Trial appeared on Earth and lasted for years. As for who emerged victorious from the repeated conflicts, there was no question.
Achiros had won, of course.
Overwhelmingly so, and quite brutally at that.

‘The Lord of War had disbanded her forces and fled, hiding herself in the Abandoned Dungeon. She waited there for Sworn Servants who would bring her coins.’

But no Sworn Servant came to save her.
The defeated Lord of War had severed her contracts with most of her Sworn Servants.
Only a handful of deeply loyal Sworn Servants had maintained their contracts.
They had attempted to gather coins to aid the Lord of War’s recovery, but were hunted down by the Sworn Servants of Justice in the process.

‘Multiple Lords had dispatched their Sworn Servants to hunt her down….’

It was Achiros who succeeded in the hunt.
Achiros had successfully absorbed the fallen Lord of War and gained tremendous power.
Thus did the Lord of War meet her pathetic end.

“A Lord who could not live up to the epithet of War.”

But he was the perfect target to keep on a leash.
More than anything, it meant I could finally get one over on Achiros.
I twirled the Quill of Covenant between my fingers, a smirk playing across my lips.

“Time to make a move.”

The hunt for the Lords had begun.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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