The Crazy Battle God Has Returned - Chapter 158

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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 158

Escaping from the collapsing Difficult Realm was no simple task.
Han Yu-sung barely managed to reach the exit, but the ground around him had completely crumbled—there was nowhere left to stand.

“Han Yu-sung, this is….”
“Damn it, we’re finished! How are we supposed to escape from this!”

The distance was far too great; escape seemed utterly impossible.
The method I chose was simple.
First, I created a foothold using shadows.
And then.

Whoooooosh!

I activated Gale Force and reached the exit in one explosive burst!
Gripping Ran and Chu Gyu-il firmly, I unleashed my footwork enhanced by Speedster, becoming a raging tempest that tore through the void.
The three of us crossed the completely collapsing Difficult Realm.

“Uuuaaahhh!”
“Ughhhh…!”

In an instant, we passed through the exit and escaped the Difficult Realm.
My vision shifted dramatically.
When I opened my eyes after a brief moment of darkness, the Trial Island—completely devastated by the Rampage—greeted me.

Rumble rumble rumble!

At that same moment, the rampaging Difficult Realm roared and vanished entirely.
It was only natural—I had pushed the unstable Difficult Realm into complete Rampage.
I gripped my sword and surveyed the surroundings.
I needed to remain vigilant for any possible survivors from Zangetsu.

‘It seems no one survived.’

Fortunately—or perhaps inevitably—there were no survivors.
This operation could not afford witnesses. If even one person made it back to Japan alive, it would become troublesome in countless ways.
I exhaled and sheathed my sword.

[I have been waiting! What did you obtain in the Difficult Realm….]
“F-For me!”

That was when Chu Gyu-il made his extraordinary display.
The man who had been staring intently at Han Yu-sung’s pocket suddenly dropped to his knees, then bowed his head with artistic grace.
It was an astonishingly reverent bow, executed with perfect form.

“Please give me that movement technique! I beg you, brother!”
[U-u-uh…?]

Kakasha, who had come to greet Han Yu-sung, tilted his head in confusion.
What is this human doing? What does “brother” mean, and why is he suddenly bowing….
Ran withdrew to the side as if the matter had nothing to do with her, while Han Yu-sung let out a hollow laugh at the sight of Chu Gyu-il bowing so abruptly.

‘I had just put it away in my pocket, yet he managed to spot it.’

Just how intense was his desire for movement techniques?
Han Yu-sung carefully withdrew the ‘Shadowless Movement Technique’ from his pocket.
Immediately, an intensely piercing gaze washed over me.
Needless to say, it was Chu Gyu-il’s stare.
His eyes, clouded with greed, were fixed upon the ‘Shadowless Movement Technique’.
His mouth hung open so wide that he looked ready to drool.

“A-A technique!”
“Is it really that desirable?”
“Damn it, of course it is… No, wait! Yes! That’s right, brother!”

Chu Gyu-il bowed his head again.
Ran observed his behavior as if watching a strange person.
But for Chu Gyu-il, there was no other choice.
Why had he been captured by those Zangetsu bastards this time? Because of an inferior movement technique.
It wasn’t just this incident either.

‘How many treasures have I abandoned because of this wretched penalty! If I only had a proper movement technique, if I only had a means to move quickly…!’

His options would multiply.
But now that a ‘growing’ movement technique had appeared, his eyes could only spin with desire.
Han Yu-sung looked at him and posed a question to which I already knew the answer.

“Why not simply ask your Lord for a technique if you need one?”
“…I, I don’t have a Lord. To be precise, I did have one, but that experience was so catastrophically terrible that I can barely describe it. After my Lord fell and vanished, I never sought another.”
“I see.”

In my past life, Chu Gyu-il was one of the few players without a Lord.
The fundamental cause lay in his unique ability: Greedy Sense.

‘It grants the power to find treasures in exchange for stripping away combat ability….’

That was the problem.
To a Lord, Chu Gyu-il’s unique ability was a highly coveted thing.
After all, it could locate treasures and even hidden Difficult Realms.
However.

‘But they wouldn’t want to invest those treasures back into Chu Gyu-il.’

Because he lacked combat ability.
It was like pouring water into a bottomless vessel.
Thus, the Lord would use Chu Gyu-il’s unique ability to find treasures, then distribute or sell them to other War Covenant Users.
In essence, he was nothing more than a tool for treasure hunting.
Because of that experience, he apparently never sought a Lord for the rest of his life.
If memory served, he probably never gathered any meaningful companions either.

[Hmm, so. Did you feel some sympathy for him?]
‘Hardly. Do I look like that kind of person to you?’
[There’s no way. You’re heartless and cold-blooded… Ack!]

Kakasha hastily dodged Han Yu-sung’s approaching hand.
True to his words, I harbored not a shred of sympathy for Chu Gyu-il’s life.
Why would I pity someone who committed countless atrocities only to be slain?
However.

‘He has his uses.’

Han Yu-sung examined the Shadowless Technique in his grasp.

[Shadowless Step (A, Lv.1)]
· Classification: Active.
· A stepping technique that leaves not even a shadow.
· Special Effect: Advances to the next rank upon reaching maximum level.
* Afterimage Pursuit: Movement so swift that afterimages manifest, their illusions bewildering enemies.
* Shadow Veil: Motion so concealed it seems to dissolve into darkness itself.

A respectable technique.
Though it’s A-rank, the special effect means it will grow beyond this point.
So then—is this truly what Han Yu-sung needs right now?

‘Not particularly.’

The greatest obstacle is the time required to cultivate it.
Second is the technique’s nature itself. It excels at concealed movement and evading enemies, yet it doesn’t suit Han Yu-sung’s temperament. Besides, I already possessed concealment-related skills.
So I thought to repurpose this for something else.
So I thought, why not try using this for a different purpose?

“N-no, of course I wasn’t asking for it free! I would…!”
“You’d pay me in money?”
“You’re going to give me money?”

This was a matter of naming one’s price. And more importantly, what use would Han Yu-sung, who had recently gained such tremendous renown, have for money?
If I set my mind to it, I could rake in wealth by the fistful.
Han Yu-sung knelt and met Chu Gyu-il’s gaze.
Han Yu-sung bent his knees and met Chu Gyu-il’s gaze.

“R-really?!”
“Yes. But….”
“Yeah. But…”

The Covenant Quill—radiating an otherworldly luminescence.
The “Quill of Oath,” emanating a mysterious light.

“Ah, u… What? That….”
“Huh, uh… yes? That, that is…”

As though he could sense his own ominous future unfolding.
As if he had a premonition of his own ominous future.

* * *

To summarize the contract’s contents, it could be organized as follows.

[1. When Chu Gyu-il discovers a Difficult Realm using his unique ability, he reports it to Han Yu-sung. The ownership of items found in this Difficult Realm is divided “fairly” according to contribution. (Maximum three times.)]
[2. When Han Yu-sung requires it, Chu Gyu-il comes immediately and assists with utmost sincerity, barring unavoidable circumstances. (Maximum ten times.)]
[3. Chu Gyu-il must report his location to Han Yu-sung at set intervals. (Continuing until this contract expires.)]

“A, ah…. This is, th, this….”

Chu Gyu-il despaired upon seeing the contract’s terms.
This is an absurd contract. It’s practically a slave contract!
Signing this contract would be nothing short of madness!

“You seem to be struggling without a movement technique. Wouldn’t you need one?”
“Ugh, kgh… gaaaah!”

A demon’s whisper reached his ears.
A movement technique—yes. If only he had a movement technique.
Moreover, that “Shadowless Movement Technique” specializes in concealment and evasion, doesn’t it? It would suit Chu Gyu-il perfectly.
How much would it help if he cultivated it?
It couldn’t even compare to the movement technique he currently knew.

“B-but the number of times… there are too many times!”
“With effort, you’ll eventually fulfill them all. Still, hmm. Yes. Since you say it’s difficult, adding one more clause wouldn’t be unreasonable.”
“A, a clause?”

Han Yu-sung wrote out the words in one fluid motion.
Upon seeing the newly added clause, Chu Gyu-il was astounded.

[If Chu Gyu-il forms a covenant with a lord that Han Yu-sung has contracted with, the number of times required in this contract shall be reduced by half.]

“Insane. What kind of clause is this….”

It was a simple clause.
It essentially said: if you want to suffer less, form a covenant with Kakasha.
I wasn’t particularly fond of the player called Chu Gyu-il, but his unique ability was certainly useful. It was an ability with many applications.
Above all.

‘If I don’t kill this one here, I need to put a leash on him.’

He’s useful, but far too dangerous to leave unrestrained.
The best option is to make a contract with Kakasha to keep him from doing anything reckless.
The second-best option is a contract document.

“W-who is the lord you’ve contracted with….”
“I can’t tell you now, but you’ll find out soon enough.”
“Are you truly insane….”

Chu Gyu-il clutched his head, wrestling with the decision.
No matter how much he deliberated, there was only one choice.

“I-I’ll sign the contract. The contract, I’ll do it. As for the oath, I’ll think about it….”
“Wise choice.”

A movement technique capable of growth to S-rank and beyond.
Such techniques cannot be obtained even with astronomical sums of money. If I miss this opportunity, I may never acquire it before my death.
Once I master this technique and cultivate my strength, I’ll be able to utilize ‘Greedy Sense’ far more effectively.
How many treasures have I missed due to insufficient ability? With this technique alone, I could claim them all.
So, I just need to sign the contract…!

“Ugh!”

Chu Gyu-il signed the contract document with tears of blood streaming down his face.
The completed contract dissolved into the ‘Oath Quill’.

‘I’ve acquired a useful asset.’

Han Yu-sung wore a satisfied smile.
Ran, who had been observing the scene, shook her head and turned to leave.

“It seems our business here is finished. I’ll head back first. There are things I need to secure before Japan falls into chaos over Linjo’s death.”
“Before you go, Ran. A gift.”
“Hmm?”

Han Yu-sung tossed a short sword to Ran.
It was an S-rank dagger obtained from the Sunken Treasure Vault.
A weapon I had no use for, and Ran had helped me considerably this time around.
This much seemed reasonable.

“I hope we meet again someday.”
“I doubt it.”

Ran, accepting the dagger, offered a faint smile.

“I don’t want to meet a monster like you ever again.”

With those words, Ran vanished.
All that remained were Han Yu-sung, Kakasha, and a wailing Chu Gyu-il.

“You just gave it to that Japanese guy! And me! Why!”

* * *

With the matter concluded, I returned to Korea discreetly.
With Linjo dead, there would be chaos everywhere.
It would be best to remain in Korea for a while and keep a low profile.

[Hehehehe… Kufufufu! You’ve brought me such a delightful gift!]

I examined the documents Jain had sent to the Safe House.
They were records listing the buildings where the War Covenant Users would be staying.
The prices were considerable, but nothing that would pose a serious problem.
Which one should I choose?

[Achiros, that bastard’s sacred relic!]
“You seem to be in good spirits.”
[Of course I am!]

Kakasha was darting about around me as I pondered.
All while cradling the Equitas Code in its embrace.

[No matter what you say, I shall absorb this sacred relic! Only by absorbing it and recreating it in my own colors will my satisfaction be complete!]
“Do as you wish. Now that I think about it…”

Something came to mind.
Han Yu-sung withdrew several items from his subspace.
They were items obtained from the Sunken Treasure Vault this time.
One of them in particular.

“I had forgotten about this heart.”
[Hooooo…!]

The 【Lord’s Heart】, brimming with tremendous power.
Kakasha’s eyes gleamed upon seeing that heart, and he rushed forward.

[This, this is… such a precious treasure existed?!]
“I obtained it easily thanks to Chu Gyu-il.”
[That scrawny fellow? I never understood why you coveted such a creature, but now that I see this treasure, it makes sense!]

Kakasha gazed at the ‘heart’ with sparkling eyes.
Then he began urging Han Yu-sung forward.

[F-faster. Use it quickly! Hurry!]

There was no particular reason to delay.
Han Yu-sung grasped the still-beating 【Lord’s Heart】.

“Let me see what blessing it contains.”

A deep smile played across his lips.

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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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