The Crazy Battle God Has Returned - Chapter 129

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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 129

Han Yu-sung and Kakasha stared blankly at each other’s faces.

“It’s destroyed.”
[Hmm, it’s destroyed indeed….]

The wall that had been unmoved by the Blood Wind Chain Slash I first unleashed.
But once I overlaid it with ‘demonic energy’, it crumbled far too easily.
It was truly a dramatic increase in power.
Even I was taken aback by it.
Which made it all the more strange.

“Isn’t demonic martial arts using demonic energy supposed to be stronger than ordinary martial arts? I think I’ve heard the Covenant Keepers from the Murim side say something like that.”
[Indeed it is. However, demonic energy itself is fundamentally incompatible with humans, so those who use it often end up mentally unstable. But!]

Kakasha suddenly extended a finger and pointed at me.

[I’ve never heard of overlaying demonic energy onto ordinary techniques for enhancement, not demonic martial arts! And using both magical power and demonic energy together!]
“I know. Don’t shout—my head’s already pounding.”
[Ah, um. My apologies….]

I gazed down at my own palm.
I could see the black energy that hadn’t yet dissipated shimmering faintly.
It looked just like demonic energy, but its effects differed from ordinary demonic energy.

‘So this is the energy they called “demonic energy” for now.’

There must be some secret hidden within this energy.
I clicked my tongue and ordered Kakasha to create another wall.

[Do you think I’m some kind of wall-building craftsman?]

I dismissed Kakasha’s grumbling lightly.
I tested it the same way several more times, but the results remained identical.
The Blood Wind Chain Slash overlaid with demonic energy shattered the wall to pieces in a single strike.

“The power is more impressive than I expected. It might be worth accumulating.”
[Did you not say there was no way to accumulate demonic energy?]
“That is indeed the problem.”

And there was another issue.
A problem that had been foreseen since acquiring the ability now revealed itself.

[Demonic energy has been depleted.]

The usage count was far too limited.
After using it exactly twice, my demonic energy was completely exhausted.
With the effect of the ‘Nameless Heaven’s Will’, my current demonic energy stood at forty-five.
It seemed the stronger the power, the greater the demonic energy consumed.

“Hmm, this is…”
[I should seek clues from a Lord who has connections to the Murim.]
“Right. I need to make contact with the Lord of Training.”

I drew a deep breath.
My body felt heavy, perhaps from the depleted demonic energy.
I sat down on the floor and surveyed the Sanctuary, which spanned roughly fifteen pyeong.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed a grotesque creature in the corner of the Sanctuary.
A creature of horrifying appearance, its entire body covered in countless mouths.

“What is this?”
[Do you not recognize it? It was once the Greedy Researcher. Now it has lost even its name and become a slave to her.]
“So this is what became of it.”

Back then, it had been a terrifying and colossal monster.
Now it appeared small and pathetic, bound like a chained dog.
It made me wonder if this creature could even fight anymore.

[If you feed it coins, it will regain some of its strength. Let me know if needed. I shall throw this creature onto the Battlefield.]
“That’s hardly a merit. What do you intend to use it for?”
[Should it not at least be put to labor? It will continue to work until it has compensated for the damage it inflicted upon her and you.]
“Do as you see fit.”

He was not particularly fond of the fellow either.
If I left him in Kakasha’s hands, he would manage things well enough on his own.
As I sat there surveying the Sanctuary, something came to mind.

“What about the Sacred Artifacts?”
[Huh? Oh! Now that you mention it, the enhancement authority and creation authority!]

There were rewards I had obtained from this trial.
The authority to create and restore Sacred Artifacts up to Grade A.
And the authority to enhance Sacred Artifacts of Grade A and below.

[Hmm… I would like to think more about the creation authority. Wouldn’t it be better to craft Sacred Artifacts that prove useful depending on the situation?]
“That’s a good idea. What about the enhancement authority?”
[I leave it to you. What would you like to enhance?]
“There’s only one answer to that.”

I drew a Sacred Artifact from the void.
The blade burning with the flames of terror—the Flames of War.
Kakasha must have been thinking the same thing, for she chuckled softly.

[Flames of War (Grade A Sacred Artifact).]
· Attack Power: 400.
· Sacred Artifact of the Lord of War, ‘Kakasha’. It has not yet reached her prime, but fierce flames burn within it.
· By offering sacrifice as payment, you can use 【Terror of War】. These flames instantly incinerate the enemy’s shields and buffs.
· When using this blade, all skills and blessings related to the 【Lord of War】 are enhanced. Additionally, it can absorb flame-based attacks.
· Flame-type skill damage +80%, attribute resistance penetration +30%.
· All skills utilizing the blade are classified as ‘flame-type’.

I had chosen the Flames of War.
When I first obtained it, it looked so shabby it seemed ready to shatter at any moment, but now it blazed with an eternal inferno.
Kakasha gazed upon her Sacred Artifact with profound emotion.

[Oh, my Sacred Artifact… Still lacking, but finally…]

She was overcome with emotion.
I handed the Flames of War to Kakasha. And while she was lost in contemplation, I decided to use another reward.

[Essence of a Lord (Mythic)]
· The final essence left behind by a Lord now fallen into ruin.
· Upon consumption, all stats increase by +15. Additionally, it upgrades an S-rank skill and brings it to maximum level.

The most crucial effect was the upgrade of an S-rank skill.
So then, which skill should I upgrade?
Han Yu-sung chose without hesitation.

[You consume the Essence of a Lord.]
[All stats increased by +15! ‘Crimson Wind Fist Method’ has been upgraded to SS-rank! The skill has reached maximum level!]

[Crimson Wind Fist Method (SS, Lv.MAX)]
· Classification: Active.
· A martial art refined by Han Yu-sung, the successor of the Spirit of Blood Ghost. A technique perfected with extreme bias toward offense, tailored to the successor’s nature.
· Effects: Strength +30, Attack Power +50%
· Special Effect: The skill strengthens the more blood is spilled.
* Crimson Island: Strike the opponent with a flash-like blow while wrapping crimson wind around the fist. Can launch up to five crimson islands simultaneously.
* Crimson Wind Chain Destruction: Compress the crimson wind and release it upon impact with the opponent.
* Crimson Dragon Ghost Dance: A dragon conjured from crimson wind spirals around the caster as its center, extending outward before devouring enemies from all directions.
* Heaven Annihilation Crimson Formation: Countless crimson winds surge from the ground, tearing apart enemies.
* Crimson Soul Heaven-Rending Strike: A single blow that annihilates the opponent.

The martial art Han Yu-sung had favored since his previous life.
He chose it because his attachment ran deep—it was the first technique he learned after his return.

“Good. Now I can use this for much longer.”

Han Yu-sung lightly deployed the Crimson Wind Fist Method and assessed it thus.
In any case, I had now exhausted all the rewards obtained this time.
The right to craft an A-rank sacred artifact remained, but I decided to use that when necessary.

“Kakasha. What will you do with this Sanctuary?”
[Hmm. If time permits, I wish to install various infrastructure. For now it’s fine since no one knows of my existence, but later when the Lords wage Holy Wars, it will become troublesome.]

Wars between Lords took many forms.
Among them existed a representative method officially recognized by the ‘Gods’.
The Lord’s War—where one wagered Difficult Realms, sworn servants, sacred artifacts, and such.
And the Holy War—where a defeated Lord, having nothing left to wager, staked their Sanctuary itself.

‘A Lord who falls in the Holy War suffers tremendous losses, or so I’ve heard.’

A Lord driven to the brink, with nothing left to wager but the Sanctuary itself.
Moreover, when opening a typical ‘Holy War’, one must stake not only the Sanctuary but all remaining assets as well, so defeat means quite literally tumbling into the abyss.
The outcomes that await are largely two: absorption by the opposing Lord, or

[…Why do you look at me that way?]

else one barely survives and flees by any means necessary, as Kakasha did.
Yet pursuit proves hardly difficult, and unless fortune smiles as it did for Kakasha, the fleeing Lord is eventually absorbed by their pursuer.
Defeat in the Holy War becomes death itself.

[This is infuriating! Your gaze carries contempt for me! I shall pluck out every strand of my hair!]
“Don’t come near me. Besides, there won’t be any Holy Wars for a while anyway.”
[Hmph! Even so, when dimensions occasionally warp, strange creatures attack under the guise of 【Emergency Events】. It would be wise to prepare.]

To keep the Sanctuary I’d barely obtained from being stolen, that was the prudent course.

“It’s merely a 15-pyeong Sanctuary, after all.”
[Enough with that 15-pyeong talk!]

Han Yu-sung stretched and rose from his seat.
I’d spent all the rewards I needed to spend, and toured Kakasha’s Sanctuary thoroughly.
Now only one thing remained: returning to Earth.

“Phew, I should rest for a while.”

The frenetic activity during the Hero’s War had left me exhausted.
Han Yu-sung yawned deeply as I prepared to leave the Sanctuary.

[The effect of 【Blood Demon’s Blessing】 has activated.]
[The Wanderers’ attention is turning toward you….]

Before the blood-inscribed message could conclude.

[The Wanderer, 【Blood Demon】 will send you an invitation.]
[This glorious invitation shall prove a great opportunity for you.]
[Await the arrival of the invitation.]

Words inscribed in blood, dissolving away like melting ice.
Han Yu-sung furrowed his brow at the absurd message.

“What is this now?”

An invitation had arrived without warning.
At an unexpected moment, from an unexpected source.

* * *

The Blessing of Blood Demon—a reward I obtained after conquering the Tower of Blood Demon.
This blessing carried an effect: it would draw the attention of Wanderers.
I hadn’t seen it activate yet, so I had no idea what it truly meant.

“Was this the effect?”
[You’re displeased, aren’t you? Displeased…!]

Three days had passed since that bizarre invitation arrived.
I spent the time resting at the Safe House, recovering my strength.
I needed to prepare for the upcoming Trial Island rewards, the Difficult Realm, and this mysterious invitation whose origin remained unknown.
But then.

[This Blood Demon bastard sends an invitation and then goes silent! Why no word?!]
“Indeed, quite the mystery.”

No contact whatsoever.
At this rate, I’d only waste time waiting.
Having reached that conclusion, I decided to handle the tasks at hand first.
The most pressing matter was discovering a method to accumulate demonic energy.

[“Gahahaha! Splendid, absolutely splendid!”]

For that reason, I sought out the Lord of Training.
Though “sought out” might be the wrong phrase—the Lord called for me first.
As mentioned before, the Lord of Training had opened a Difficult Realm.

[Difficult Realm: Spirit of Blood Ghost’s Memories.]
[A Difficult Realm opened by the Lord of Training. It recreates the Battlefield where the Spirit of Blood Ghost experienced his most fierce combat while alive. Challengers must overcome the Battlefield just as the Spirit of Blood Ghost did.]
[The strength of enemies appearing here is adjusted to match the challenger’s level. However, it does not adjust below level 150.]
[Entry Restriction: Those related to the Spirit of Blood Ghost. Yes, Han Yu-sung! You!]

Before my eyes stretched an expansive Battlefield.
It was filled with martial artists who appeared to be sworn to the Murim faction.
The martial artists launched their assault in unison, their hostility directed squarely at me.
I made them test subjects for my Blood Wind Fist Technique.

[“Remarkable, truly astounding! To think you’ve refined the Blood Wind Fist Technique that the Spirit of Blood Ghost wielded! Ferocious in a manner different from the Spirit of Blood Ghost!”]

I drove my fist, wrapped in blood wind, down into the earth.
The ground fractured beneath the impact, and countless blood winds erupted through the cracks, coalescing into a miniature typhoon that tore through my enemies.
A new technique of the Blood Wind Fist Technique—Heaven-Annihilating Blood Formation.
And what followed was.

Blood Wind Fist Technique, Blood Dragon Return Dance.

A dragon wrought from blood wind.
As I struck through empty air, a dragon composed of blood wind spiraled forth from my fist, engulfing my enemies in its vortex.
The Lord of Training clapped his hands as he watched countless enemies fall.

[That old man seems thoroughly delighted. I’m almost worried he’ll die from sheer excitement….]
‘The Spirit of Blood Ghost must have been quite the favorite of his.’

The Lord of Training marveled at me from up close, his admiration unceasing.
There was something peculiar about it—like an elderly man reminiscing over cherished memories.
Since he mentioned offering a reward, there was no reason to refuse.
However.

“Lord of Training. There’s something I wish to ask.”
[“Gahahaha! Excellent! Splendid… Eh? What is it?”]

I came here not solely for the Difficult Realm.
There was another reason entirely for seeking out the Lord of Training.

“The Blood Demon sent me an invitation. Do you know anything about it?”

About the Blood Demon.
The Lord of Training’s eyes widened at the mention of that name.
As if questioning why that name would surface here.

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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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