The Crazy Battle God Has Returned - Chapter 215

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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 215

As news of China’s and the Black Flesh Gate’s actions spread throughout the world, and Han Yu-sung’s name dominated every conversation,

“We lodged a formal protest with China at the national level. They denied any involvement, claiming ignorance. Hmph, what utter nonsense….”

Han Yu-sung, the man at the center of it all, was at the Player Alliance.
Jain, standing across from him, clicked her tongue in displeasure.

“There’s no way they’re uninvolved. It’s an open secret that nations assist in kidnapping and assassinating foreign players.”
“If you knew that, why didn’t you do something about it sooner?”
“Do you think they’d leave evidence? And besides….”

Jain trailed off.
What came next was obvious without hearing it.
It was that Korea must have done the same things other nations were doing.
Given Jain’s nature, the Alliance probably hadn’t been directly involved.
Still, protesting without evidence left them with little moral ground to stand on.

“Tsk, the Black Flesh Gate couldn’t deny their involvement, so they had no choice but to admit it. I demanded substantial compensation for damages.”
“Did they agree to pay?”
“They’ll have to. Well….”

Jain regarded Han Yu-sung with a peculiar gaze.

“Though it seems the person in question has already secured their own compensation quite thoroughly.”
“The profits have been quite substantial. I’ve accumulated quite a bit, you see.”
“You mean the Black Tower. It seemed to function as a sort of hub. With all manner of goods gathered there, the profits would certainly be considerable.”

And indeed it was.
Countless legendary items, nine hundred thousand coins, and objects convertible to cash besides.
In a single night, I had reaped enormous profits.
In other words, it meant the Black Flesh Gate had suffered losses of that magnitude.

“Thanks to that, the Black Flesh Gate’s losses are said to be catastrophic. They say recovery itself is difficult.”
“That ‘Dark Emperor’ fellow must be struggling to hold on.”
“He must be. The Dark Emperor, the Dark Emperor….”

Upon hearing the name, Jain let out a soft chuckle.

“What a grandiose title. Do you know? The epithet ‘Dark Emperor’ wasn’t bestowed by anyone—it’s a name the Master of the Black Flesh Gate gave to himself.”
“It seems he hasn’t outgrown his adolescence yet.”
“An unnecessarily ostentatious name.”

It was common for the media to attach titles to Players.
Jain standing before me likely had her own epithet as well.
In my previous life, Han Yu-sung had been no exception.

[Giving oneself a title with one’s own mouth—how amusing.]
‘I’d say he’s a man with considerable narcissism.’

He was a fascinating individual in many respects.
The trials that awaited the Dark Emperor would prove equally intriguing.

“We’ve rooted out and eliminated all of Korea’s collaborators. The Under World has been turned upside down. They may attempt retaliation later, so it would be wise to remain vigilant. Of course, we’ll dispose of them before that becomes an issue.”
“Yes. I hope the Under World will act with appropriate caution.”
“Hmm….”

Having witnessed what befell the Black Flesh Gate, the other organizations within the Under World would surely have drawn their own conclusions.
Most would be reluctant to provoke Han Yu-sung.

“Then please send my compensation to me when it arrives.”
“I’ll see to it. Ah, and about Lee Su-ho—”

Han Yu-sung, who had been about to leave, paused mid-step.
Jain, who had stopped him, fell silent for a moment.

“…You’ve worked hard.”

Han Yu-sung nodded and took his leave.
Left alone, Jain gazed up at the ceiling with a complicated expression.

“Lee Su-ho is dead. For me personally, it’s not a bad thing.”

Lee Su-ho had been someone openly vying for the position of leader.
With his death—a man who sought to seize the Alliance with Achiros’s aid—it was not an unfavorable outcome for Jain personally.
Yet from a national perspective, it was a troubling matter.

“The Lord of Justice, The Wanderer. Sigh….”

Jain exhaled deeply.

“It seems like troublesome matters will keep piling up.”

* * *

A few days later.
An unexpected visitor arrived at the Arca Building.
Or rather, though it contradicts what I just said, I suppose it was somewhat anticipated.

“Is anyone here? Hey! Is anybody around?”
[Oh, that’s the guy I saw a few days ago. Surely, his name was….]
“Chu Gyu-il.”

A player who had been called “Great Blade” in his previous life.
The man who had recently raided several Black Towers alongside Han Yu-sung.
Chu Gyu-il had come to the Arca Building of his own volition.
Sensing the awkwardness of the situation himself, he wore an exceedingly uncomfortable expression.

“Captain. We have a visitor. Shall I show them in?”
“Yeah. Well, since we have a guest, treat them with proper courtesy.”
“Understood. Now, where did I put those tea leaves I’ve been saving….”

Baek Min-jun left while humming a tune.
Surprisingly, Baek Min-jun’s hobby was the art of tea.
While being worked to the bone under the Woman Who Cuts the Moon, he had brewed and sipped tea, discovering that his mind found peace in the ritual.
From that point on, it had become his pastime.

“Ahem, ahem!”
“You’re here. Why are you hesitating? Come in.”
“Well, I’m a bit self-conscious….”

Chu Gyu-il had arrived at Han Yu-sung’s room.
He lingered at the doorway as if embarrassed.
Since it was not a pleasant sight, I invited him to enter and sit.

“Chu Gyu-il. The fact that you’ve come this far means you’re willing to make a contract.”
“….”

Chu Gyu-il fell silent.
In truth, that silence was answer enough.
The last time I saw him, he seemed deeply conflicted.
I thought he’d hesitate even longer out of concern that he might be used as a “treasure-hunting tool,” but his decision came faster than expected.

“Since we’re on the subject, I want to ask something. Why did you change your mind? Last time I saw you, you seemed uncertain.”
“…I wanted to settle the contract quickly.”
“Once my contract ends, won’t I still be bound by the oath to the Lord? In a sense, it’s like putting on a leash I can’t remove.”
“….”

Chu Gyu-il understood that well enough.
Yet the reason he chose to make the contract was.

“Because I want to grow quickly.”
“Hmm, so you’re tempted by the experience bonus?”
“Yeah. And….”

Chu Gyu-il looked at Han Yu-sung.
The man had been monstrously strong even when we first met.
But now he’d transcended monstrosity itself, becoming something incomprehensible.
What of the War Covenant Members? Word was spreading everywhere that the new recruits who’d recently joined were growing at an astounding pace.
The same went for Baek Min-jun’s party, who’d switched Lords.

“I’ve felt the limits of acting alone. I need a Lord—I need backing that can watch my back. Backing with the strength to help me.”
“So the ‘Shadowless Step’ I gave you had its limitations.”
“That’s right.”

Chu Gyu-il’s current ‘Shadowless Step’ was S-rank.
After countless efforts, I’d promoted it to S-rank. Using it, I’d managed to clear some of the Difficult Realms I couldn’t before.
But there were still Difficult Realms left for me.
Difficult Realms whose existence I knew of, but lacked the power to conquer.

“I’ll contract with the Lord of War. In exchange, attach capable people to me. And promise me either the rewards found in the Difficult Realms, or compensation equivalent to them.”
“Hmm….”

Chu Gyu-il regarded Han Yu-sung with utmost seriousness.
Han Yu-sung kept his eyes closed, lost in thought.

‘Kakasha. You remember what you said before, don’t you?’
[Of course. My thoughts remain unchanged then and now.]
‘Good. Then there’s nothing more to consider.’

There was nothing left to deliberate.
Han Yu-sung nodded readily.

“Here’s what we’ll do. If the item you discover in the Difficult Realm through your unique ability suits you, it’s yours to keep.”
“And if it doesn’t suit me?”
“Then it goes to the Oath-taker it matches. In return, I’ll grant you a reward befitting its value. I swear this by my name and the Lord’s.”
“….”

Chu Gyu-il swallowed hard.
He could sense it instinctively.
This was an opportunity that would never come again.
There was no chance such an offer would ever be made again.
And so.

[Chu Gyu-il has entered into a new contract with the Lord of War.]
[Live up to the name of ‘War’ by leading the charge across countless battlefields!]

Chu Gyu-il chose to become a War Covenant Member.
He exhaled deeply and bowed his head.
The tension had lifted, and suddenly an overwhelming fatigue washed over him.
At that moment, a teacup was placed before him.

“Perfect timing. Baek Min-jun, we have a new recruit. His name is Chu Gyu-il. He has some experience, so there’s no need to train him like a novice.”
“Oh, a new recruit? Our Oath-takers are growing rapidly.”
“Chu Gyu-il, have you discovered any Difficult Realms?”
“Well, I have found one, but….”

Chu Gyu-il nodded cautiously.

“You’ll help Baek Min-jun’s party clear it. And bring Sung Ha-yan’s party along as well. It’ll be good real-world experience for them.”
“Yes, understood.”

Recently, a party centered around Sung Ha-yan had been formed.
Sung Ha-yan, Ryu Su-geun, Yoon Woo-ram, Yu Gyeo-ul.
Players whom Jain had taken notice of and recommended to Han Yu-sung—those whose abilities improved faster than other Oath-takers.
They would be of great help in conquering the Difficult Realm.

“And, hmm….”
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

Han Yu-sung stared intently at Chu Gyu-il.
What was Chu Gyu-il’s problem?
He possessed virtually no combat ability. His stats had decreased significantly except for agility, and his damage output was weak.
In exchange, his movement-based skills were greatly enhanced, but….

“Let me think separately about ways to supplement your combat ability.”
“Huh? There’s actually a separate method for that?”
“Well, if I look for it, there will be. For now, Baek Min-jun, just show the new recruit around.”
“Yes sir! Come on, let’s go. You’re chugging that tea like there’s no tomorrow.”
“No, wait a moment!”

It wasn’t as though there were no methods.
There was a way to use ‘speed’ as a means of attack.
Certain items and skills would be necessary, but there were ways to obtain those as well.
If I provided those to him, his combat ability would be supplemented to some degree.

“What is that method, tell me… Ugh! Move that tea out of the way!”
“You have to drink it because I made it with care!”
“This is driving me crazy!”

Chu Gyu-il and Baek Min-jun left while bickering.
In any case, the ‘Great Swordsman’ from my past life had become a War Covenant Member.
His unique ability would bring significant benefits to the War Covenant Members.

“Of course, I’ll need to support him properly in return.”
[If you make the effort, you shall receive rewards befitting your dedication.]
“Right. Well, you’ll handle things well on your end.”

Han Yu-sung stretched long and leisurely.
With work having been hectic recently, fatigue had accumulated. I’d had to conduct interviews with new recruits besides Chu Gyu-il, so it was unavoidable.
But I couldn’t afford to rest.

“Kakasha. The invitation?”
[Hmm, I was about to tell you about that.]

An invitation sent to Han Yu-sung by the Star Battlefield.
An event where one could obtain fragments of an ‘Eternity-grade’ item.

[‘Special Event’ will be held tomorrow!]
[Warriors who have received this invitation, prove your strength!]

“Tomorrow, then. It’s practically upon us. Did you learn anything else?”
[I’ve looked into it from various angles, but there’s nothing but rumors. All I know is that powerful beings from multiple worlds will be participating….]

An event where opponents I had never faced before would participate—enemies whose identities remained unknown.
It was truly uncharted territory.
A smile naturally spread across my lips.

“I like it.”
[I thought you would say something like that….]

Kakasha clicked his tongue as if exasperated.
In any case, neither the event nor the enemies were known quantities.
Then what needed to be done was simple.

“Let me put those deferred rewards to use.”

Rewards I had obtained long ago from the ‘Pinnacle of Evolution’.
Among them, there remained one reward for a lord that I had yet to use.

[You are granted the authority to elevate one sacred artifact to S-grade. However, you must offer vast wealth as the price.]

“Let’s create an S-grade sacred artifact.”
[Hmm! An excellent idea!]

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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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