The Crazy Battle God Has Returned - Chapter 184

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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 184

In this Lords’ War, I had wagered much.
Difficult Realms, sacred relics, coins, even a Unique Facility. It was a gamble with nearly everything I possessed, and the fruits of that gamble returned as rewards.

[You have achieved victory in the Lords’ War.]
[50% of the coins used for the declaration of war have been refunded.]
[You have seized 1.5 million coins from the Lord of the Dead.]
[You have seized the Difficult Realms 【Lion’s Tomb】 and 【Night of the Dead】!]
[You have seized 【White Calamity King】, the summoned creature possessed by the Lord of the Dead!]
[You have seized the sacred relics 【Heart of Phantoms (A)】, 【Seed of Lycoris (B)】, and 【Veil of Death (B)】 from the Lord of the Dead!]
[The Lord of the Dead has chosen to settle the value of their Unique Facility with coins and items instead. Calculating compensation…]

Difficult Realms, summoned creatures, and sacred relics besides.
All manner of rewards came pouring in at once.
Just one thing.
Everything except the Unique Facility.

“It seems he was unwilling to lose the Unique Facility as well.”

A rational decision.
Sacred relics could be recreated someday, but a Unique Facility could only be obtained through fortune’s favor.
He would not have wished to lose it.
But I harbored no regrets.

[You have obtained 3 million coins as a reward!]
[Additionally, the Subspace of the Dead is being forcibly opened. A subspace brimming with rare treasures! You may take up to two items of your choosing from this subspace.]

In place of the Unique Facility, I had obtained a tremendous reward.
In the past, the Lord of the Dead had once attempted to eliminate me through an open Difficult Realm, only to fail.
That time, I had opened a Warehouse as compensation and seized skill books.
Among them was a useful skill called Undead Hunter.

“I should be able to acquire something useful this time as well.”

Such thoughts crossed my mind anew.
The Lord of the Dead truly was like a tree that gave without reservation.
To suffer so much at his hands and yet receive such bounty—I was genuinely grateful.

“Let’s visit the Subspace of the Dead later. Kakasha?”
[R-rewards…. There are so many, I can’t even think straight….]
“Hmm, you’ve lost it.”

As always, Kakasha was intoxicated by the rewards, his mind swimming in euphoria.
Having gained such tremendous wealth from a single gamble, it was inevitable he’d end up like this.
At this rate, the Lord of the Dead must have suffered a considerable blow as well.
But.

‘It’s still far from enough to ruin him completely.’

Regardless, he was a Lord bearing a True Name.
He likely still possessed vast wealth. To truly ruin him, I would need to continue engaging in Lords’ Wars or employ other methods.
And those methods would arrive soon enough.

[Kuhuhuh… Ahem! Mm, this isn’t the time for that.]
“You’ve finally come to your senses, I see. Kakasha, what about the Sacred Artifacts?”
[Sacred Artifacts? Why would I need to discuss it? I’ll absorb them all! The Sacred Artifacts created by that Lord of the Dead—I don’t even want to touch them.]
“Well, that works too.”

These were the Sacred Artifacts used by the Covenant of the Dead during the Lords’ War.
So I already had a rough understanding of their properties.
Sacred Artifacts that enhanced undead summoning and blocked divine power.
They didn’t suit my tastes at all.

[Don’t worry. I’ll absorb them and create better Sacred Artifacts for you.]
“Then do that. And….”

I turned to look at the War Covenant Members.
Once I absorbed the Sacred Artifacts seized from the Lord of the Dead, many new ones would emerge.
There was no reason for me to keep them all.

“I should consider distributing the Sacred Artifacts we obtained this time.”
[Considering that the enemy’s Sacred Artifacts lean toward strengthening our forces, it’s not a bad choice. Of course, there are some risks involved.]
“Well, we’ll just have to manage that carefully.”

Sacred Artifacts carried the risk of being stolen, so I had no intention of distributing anything A-rank or higher.
But lower ranks could be distributed, at least for the duration of the Lords’ War.

“Prepare rewards for the War Covenant Members as well. We earned quite a bit this time.”
[I am aware. Proper distribution of merit is essential.]
“Right. And, hmm….”

I turned to look at the War Covenant Members.
Certainly, their numbers were small.
In this Lords’ War, I had achieved victory through summoned creatures by exploiting the Lord of the Dead’s ignorance.

[There is no guarantee that the same tactic will work next time.]
“That’s true.”

If every Lord could win in the Lords’ War by reducing the number of covenant members and increasing summoned creatures, they would all employ such a strategy.
There would certainly be countermeasures available against it.
Especially for any Lord facing me in the future.

“I need to start recruiting more covenant members.”
[Did you not say you had no intention of accepting mediocre talent?]
“I still feel that way. I should only accept those with genuine aptitude.”
[Do you have a method to discern them?]
“I do. We have the national buff we obtained.”

Kakasha laughed knowingly.
The Divine Training Ground. A place where all manner of novice players flock.
If I consider the ‘Pioneer’s Blessing’ as well.

“Gathering talent won’t be particularly difficult.”
[A sound strategy. The Pioneer’s Blessing must be cultivated as well.]

Beyond that, I would need to gather immediately usable forces as well.
As I was contemplating the approach, Baek Min-jun cautiously approached me.

“Commander.”
“Baek Min-jun. What are our casualties?”
“Twenty-four wounded, seven killed. Well, considering it was a Lords’ War and we won, we should count it as having no deaths.”

The War Covenant Members, elated by the unexpected victory, were visible before me. Without exception, they all gazed at me with burning eyes.
Even I felt a momentary weight from the intensity of their stares.

“…Everyone has worked hard. I will ensure you are compensated generously for your participation in the Lords’ War, so do not worry. Baek Min-jun, take the Covenant of the Dead members and return.”
“Yes, Commander. But… you’re not coming with us?”
“That’s right.”

Han Yu-sung stepped through the portal that materialized before him.
It was a portal leading to the Subspace of the Dead.

“I have somewhere to be.”

* * *

My vision lurched violently.
When the dizziness subsided, I found myself in a vast subspace.
A subspace brimming with countless items and tomes.

[Kuhuhuh! I smell it. That sinister fellow’s scent!]
“A dog?”
[Sniff, sniff! Do not call me that…!]

Kakasha burst forth in his sprite form.
He sniffed the air and began surveying his surroundings.
His behavior was indistinguishable from that of a hound hunting for prey.

[This is not greed on my part, sniff! Rather, I seek…sniff sniff! Items that will aid in your growth…!]
“…I find myself at a loss for words before such benevolence, my lord.”

I exhaled deeply.
Appearances aside, Kakasha had proven adept at uncovering exceptional items from the Multidimensional Treasury.
Considering that track record, it was wise to trust him with this task.
The only drawback was his rather unsightly demeanor.

[Furthermore, kuhuhuh! Do you not sense it?]
“Sense what…? Ah. Yes, I feel it.”

I lifted my gaze.
A formidable presence emanated from not far away.
The overwhelming aura unique to a lord—the transcendent pressure of a supreme being.
There was no question as to whose presence it was.

“Are you watching us, Lord of the Dead?”
[What a pathetic creature. He fled in panic the moment he lost the Lords’ War, and now he wants to watch me select my rewards?]

No answer came.
Instead, the air trembled—as if responding to the Lord’s fury.
Naturally, neither Han Yu-sung nor Kakasha paid it any mind.

“This is getting me more motivated. Kakasha, search carefully.”
[I’m searching! And regarding my true name, be a bit careful…! No, well. You wouldn’t understand it anyway, so it doesn’t really matter!]

Kakasha grumbled while sniffing the air again.
I didn’t understand the exact mechanism, but it seemed Han Yu-sung had taken measures to ensure that even if he spoke his true name aloud, others wouldn’t be able to hear it.
In any case, Han Yu-sung explored the Subspace of the Dead alongside Kakasha.

[There! Right there! I smell something, I smell it…!]

It didn’t take long for Kakasha’s nose to locate a valuable item.
The direction pointed to the deepest part of the Subspace of the Dead. As we moved in the direction Kakasha indicated, the trembling of the air grew even more intense.
Upon arrival, there stood an ornate chest.
At a glance, it contained rare gemstones.
Han Yu-sung moved toward the jewels, but then—

“….”
[Huh? What’s wrong?]

I suddenly stopped in my tracks.
Something felt off.

‘The Lord of the Dead isn’t reacting much.’
[Hmm? Now that you mention it…. His own possessions are being taken, so if these were truly valuable, he should be having a fit.]

The air had trembled as we approached from that direction.
Yet now, as I reached for the item, it was strangely calm.
As if irritated, but willing to tolerate this much.
I paused and looked around.

‘Kakasha. Focus your sense of smell. Is there any scent you’re picking up?’
[Sense of smell! So you’re saying I’m a dog…? Huh?]

Kakasha, who had been tense, turned to look at the wall.
A blank wall. She tilted her head in confusion.

[Strange. There’s a scent, yet there isn’t one…]
“…”

Han Yu-sung followed Kakasha’s gaze to the same wall.
In that moment, I felt an indescribable sense of ‘discord’.
The dragon-like heart dwelling within me was telling me something.

“You’ve hidden it quite cunningly, Lord of the Dead.”

Han Yu-sung closed his eyes and concentrated his spirit.
Then, without hesitation, I drew my blade toward the source of the ‘discord’.
The sword shot skyward.

Slash!

The ‘skull’ that had been concealed in secret was severed.
Then a pale light poured from the skull, the wall crumbled away, and a path that hadn’t existed before began to reveal itself.
Kakasha clicked her tongue upon seeing it.

[So this was why you fled the moment the Lords’ War ended. How typical of you—unable to accept defeat to the very end.]

The air trembled with rage.
According to Kakasha, tricks of this caliber were within acceptable limits.
It would be a problem if all items were hidden or made impossible to find from the start, but as long as that line wasn’t crossed, some leniency was apparently granted.
Kakasha let out a scoff and turned her head.

[There it is. The place she pointed to just moments ago.]

Where there had been only a wall moments before, a Corridor now appeared.
As we stepped inside, the air began to tremble violently. Han Yu-sung ignored the lord’s fury lightly and ventured deeper into the passage.

“Hmm, this is…”

At the deepest point of the Corridor stood a pitch-black chest.
Han Yu-sung met Kakasha’s eyes. Without a word passing between us, we both nodded and opened the chest without hesitation.

[You have discovered the ‘Essence of the Dragon King (Mythic)’.]
[Will you select this item as your first reward?]

[Essence of the Dragon King (Mythic).]
· An essence containing the power of a Dragon King who lost his life long ago.
· The formidable power contained within the essence strengthens the user. Additionally, if the user has any connection to the dragon race, a special effect will be triggered.
· A powerful resentment taints the essence. If an unsuitable person uses it, severe side effects may occur.

It was a vial brimming with tremendous energy, though a dark, murky resentment was mixed within it.
Kakasha clicked his tongue in disapproval upon seeing it.

[Lord of the Dead, that wretch was scheming to use this to create undead. The undead he calls his ‘masterpieces’.]
“So that’s why he tried to taint it with resentment.”
[Indeed. Do not worry. You know this, do you not?]

Kakasha gazed into empty space and grinned wickedly.

[Burning away such resentment is no difficult task for us.]
“I know.”

Then there was no reason to hesitate.
Han Yu-sung reached out his hand.

[You have selected the ‘Essence of the Dragon King (Mythic)’ as your first reward.]
[You have used the ‘Essence of the Dragon King’. Along with the formidable power contained within the essence, an unbearable resentment seeps into your body….]
[The flames of war have incinerated all the resentment dwelling within the essence!]
[You absorb the purified essence’s energy.]

Messages continued to cascade forth.
Scorching flames erupted from Han Yu-sung’s body.
And moments later.

[The latent potential within ‘Heart Like a Dragon (SS)’ is forcibly awakened. The skill’s rank increases by one tier!]
[Congratulations! You have acquired 【Heart of the Dragon (SSS)】!]

ROOOAAARRR!

Tremendous power surged forth from Han Yu-sung.
Power so formidable that the Subspace of the Dead trembled in an instant.

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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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