The Crazy Battle God Has Returned - Chapter 216

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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 216

A reward I had obtained long ago from the Peak of Evolution.
Among them, there remained an unused reward granted to the Lord of War.

[A reward for defeating the Lord of War is granted!]
[You are granted the authority to upgrade one sacred artifact to S-rank. However, you must offer vast wealth as payment.]
[The Sanctuary possessed by the Lord of War expands further. Additionally, you are granted the authority to install a Unique Facility related to ‘Evolution’ in the Sanctuary!]
[The Blessing of War is upgraded, and new effects are added!]
[An opportunity to strengthen the ‘Special Grace’ you possess is granted!]

I decided to examine the rewards methodically.
The first thing to check was the Unique Facility related to ‘Evolution’.

[Unique Facility: Spring of Evolution.]
[A spring imbued with the power of evolution. Oddly warm.]
[Effect 1. When a Lord’s War or Holy War occurs, you can select soldiers under the Lord’s command and ‘evolve’ them into special individuals.]
[Effect 2. When items up to Legendary rank are immersed, the items evolve, special effects are added, and occasionally items are upgraded.]
[Effect 3. When conditions are met, allies are granted the ‘Power of Evolution’ for a certain duration, while enemies are granted the ‘Power of Devolution’.]

“…That’s excellent, isn’t it? Especially Effect 2 appeals to me.”
[Ohhhhh…. Splendid, this is truly marvelously splendid!]

Kakasha was delighted.
It was a facility worthy of such enthusiasm. Effects 1 and 3, like other Unique Facilities, were only beneficial during Lord’s Wars and Holy Wars.
But Effect 2 was different.

“There is a limitation to Legendary rank, but with this, all Covenant of War Users should be able to benefit from the effect.”
[Hmm! Since it’s an effect that strengthens equipment, it will be of great help.]
“Can it be used infinitely? What do you think?”
[That doesn’t seem to be the case. The spring is filled with water. I suspect the water decreases as it’s used…. If the water runs dry, it probably won’t be usable until it refills.]

So there was a usage limit and a cooldown period.
As long as the water doesn’t run dry permanently, it shouldn’t be a major concern.
I should send Baek Min-jun and Sung Ha-yan’s party first to test it out.
And next.

[Blessing of War (Legendary)]
· All stats +30.
· Attack power +30%, skill damage +20%.
· Flame attribute enhancement +30%, flame resistance +20%.
· Vitality enhancement +20%, recovery and wound regeneration speed +30%.
· When fighting multiple enemies on the Battlefield, strength increases by +30%.
· The hotter the Battlefield becomes, the stronger the blessing’s effects grow.

The Blessing of War had finally reached Legendary rank.
I could see the existing effects strengthened and new ones added.
Han Yu-sung and Kakasha nodded in satisfaction upon seeing the blessing.

[Hmph! Now mine surpasses that Blood Demon’s blessing!]
“Come to think of it, we were at the same rank.”

The blessing bestowed by the Blood Demon was also Legendary rank.
At this level, I could say mine was superior to the Blood Demon’s blessing.

“And, hmm… a special grace.”
[A chance to strengthen a special grace—where will you use it?]
“I’m not sure.”

Han Yu-sung fell into thought, reviewing the graces I possessed.
Only ‘special graces’ could be strengthened.
Only graces like Pathfinder or Frugality could be enhanced.
So which one should I choose from these?

[Have you decided, my lord?]
“Yes. I think it’s probably the same one you’re thinking of.”
[Then we should choose simultaneously.]

The deliberation was brief.
Han Yu-sung and Kakasha chose the same grace at the same time.

[Special grace, 【Frugality】 has been strengthened!]

[Frugality]
· A grace bestowed by the Thunder God as a reward from the Trial.
· The cost of all Difficult Realms operated by the Lord decreases by 40%.
· The constituent elements of Difficult Realms can be replenished for free at regular intervals. As the grace strengthens, the cycle accelerates further.
· When Oath-takers use sacred relics, grace, or blessings that demand coins, the required coin amount decreases by 40%.
· The coin consumption when bestowing rewards decreases by 30%.

What Han Yu-sung and Kakasha chose was Frugality.
A grace that proves invaluable in managing Difficult Realms. It was also the grace that granted the Thunder God tremendous prestige when he lived.
Pioneer isn’t bad either, but Pioneer naturally strengthens itself as we cultivate the Oath-takers anyway.
Choosing Frugality would be better for the future.

“Well then, what remains is the sacred relic.”
[The first S-rank sacred relic I’ve crafted since the fall! A relic with power befitting that rank. Of course, it’s the type that devours coins like a hippopotamus every time we use it…!]
“You’re just like yourself.”

Kakasha convulsed, spewing flames.
In any case, I had been granted the authority to upgrade a single sacred relic to S-rank.
So the question was: which sacred relic should I strengthen with this?

“Thunder God’s Spear….”

Whoosh!

Han Yu-sung chose without hesitation.
Or rather, I tried to choose.
Had sudden flames not seized my wrist, I would have done so.
Still, I ignored it and tried to select Thunder God’s Spear again.

“Thunder God’s Spear….”

Whoosh!

“No, I’m saying Thunder God’s Spear….”

Whoosh!

The flames gripping my wrist grew increasingly fierce.
There was no question about who owned these flames.
Han Yu-sung let out a deep sigh.

“Kakasha. What’s bothering you now?”
[What, what’s bothering me?! Are you serious about this?! Tsk! Abandoning my sacred relic and choosing the dead Thunder God’s sacred relic instead!]
“I already knew. I was just asking.”
[Ah, you knew and still committed this atrocity…!]

Kakasha fumed indignantly.
With the Flames of War and the Banner of War available, how could I choose the Thunder God’s sacred relic instead of my contracted Lord’s? It was infuriating.
Han Yu-sung clicked his tongue and withdrew his hand from the Thunder God’s Spear.

“You know what sacred relic suits my temperament best.”
[That… that’s… I do know. I know it well!]

Violent flames erupted into the empty air.
A familiar blade suddenly burst through those flames.
It was the Flames of War.

[It’s my first S-rank sacred relic! Choose my sacred relic! I’ll make it superior to that old man’s!]
“You can manage that?”
[What do you take me for? Hmph! The reason you were trying to choose the Thunder God’s Spear was because it’s particularly useful against the Lord, wasn’t it?]

Han Yu-sung nodded.
The Thunder God’s Spear had the effect of strengthening when facing the Lord. As a bonus, destroying the descent form would also damage the Lord.
That was why I was willing to choose the Thunder God’s Spear despite the attribute mismatch.

[Nothing is impossible. As long as there are sufficient… sacrifices!]
“You’re gritting your teeth. Is it painful?”
[Tsk! No, it isn’t. For the sacred relic you’ll wield, I would…!]

Perhaps thinking of the coins required made it painful.
Kakasha spoke while gritting her teeth.
Massive sacrifices would be necessary, and she hesitated at the cost.
But more than that, she despised the idea of me using the Thunder God’s sacred relic as my first S-rank relic…!
Her true feelings were transparent to me.

[I shall transform the Flames of War into a sacred relic of your choosing!]
“Fine, then. If that’s what you’re going to do…”

Kakasha let out a roar as if he were waging war itself.
There’s no way I could choose the Thunder God’s Spear after he’s said all that.
Han Yu-sung let out a hollow laugh and selected the Flames of War.
Then, a sudden thought crossed his mind.

‘Isn’t this being made with coins I earned?’

It was a most irreverent thought.
In any case, the Flames of War rose high into the empty space.
At the same time, a seething calamity fire erupted from Kakasha’s entire body.
That calamity fire enveloped the Flames of War.

Whoooosh!

Tremendous heat blanketed the room.
The Flames of War, unable to withstand the heat, began to melt, and Kakasha cried out again, kneading the empty space with small hands.
Irreverent as the thought was, he looked like a child playing with clay.

[Haaaagh!]
“What’s wrong all of a sudden?”
[I sensed that you were harboring irreverent thoughts!]

The creature was eerily perceptive.
Han Yu-sung watched with arms crossed as Kakasha worked.
Kakasha kneaded the sacred relic with an utterly serious expression.

[You have selected the Flames of War for elevation.]
[The user ‘Han Yu-sung’s’ traces are strongly embedded in this sacred relic. Consuming more coins, the user’s traces are being melded into the sacred relic… A special effect is being newly added to the sacred relic!]

Soon, fierce flames filled the entire room.
And when those flames finally subsided.

[The Flames of War has been elevated to S-rank!]

[Flames of War (S-Rank Sacred Artifact)]
· Attack Power: 800.
· A sacred artifact of Kakasha, the Lord of War. Fierce hellfire burns brighter than in his prime. The traces of the Apostle Han Yu-sung, whom the Lord of War holds in special regard, are deeply embedded within this artifact.
· Usage Restriction: Apostles of War only.
· By offering sacrifices, the 【Hellfire of War】 can be deployed in two forms: ‘dispersed’ and ‘concentrated’. The eternal flames consume enemies, incinerate barriers, and burn away buffs.
· 【War God】 activates at all times. All skills, blessings, and sacred artifacts related to the Lord of War are enhanced, and buffs are granted to all War Covenant Users. Additionally, complete immunity to all flame-based attacks.
· Flame-type skill damage +160%, attribute resistance penetration +80%. Additionally, all sword skills are classified as ‘flame-type’.
· When facing enemies stronger than the user, the blade is enhanced. As combat intensifies, the blade receives additional enhancements, and new effects are added to 【War God】.
· When facing Lords and Incarnations, both blade and user are enhanced. Upon destroying an Incarnation, the Hellfire of War leaves scars upon the Lord.

Damn thing’s long-winded.
That was my first impression upon reading the artifact’s description.
But as I read through each detail, my assessment quickly changed.

“…This is incredible?”
[Kufufufu…!]

It was genuine admiration.
Could Kakasha truly elevate the Flames of War into a sacred artifact of my choosing?
To be honest, I had my doubts.
It was already strange enough that my first S-Rank artifact was another Lord’s sacred artifact, so I was prepared to accept it even if I didn’t like it.

“I never thought you could create something like this.”
[Kufufufufu…! Praise me further…!]

Kakasha puffed out his chest with pride.
This time, he had earned it.
I grasped the Flames of War, which blazed with fierce fire, and swung it lightly to test it.
While it had many effects, the one I liked most was the enhancement that triggered when facing enemies stronger than myself.

“You could add an effect like that?”
[The Flames of War is a sacred artifact you’ve wielded for a long time, after all. Because of that, your traces remained strongly embedded within it. I melted those traces and refined it into an artifact perfectly suited to your nature.]
“Huh, is that so? Not bad at all.”

I swung the blade lightly again.
Being an S-Rank artifact, it radiated tremendous power.
It was a satisfying improvement.
However, one question remained.

“So, how many coins went into making this?”
[T-that is… I would rather not say.]
“….”
[….]

Han Yu-sung and Kakasha fell silent simultaneously.
The Apostle’s gaze upon the Lord of War grew increasingly frigid.

[D-do not look upon me with such eyes, I beg thee.]
“If you’re being evasive about it, it must have cost an astronomical amount. Am I wrong?”
[W-well, that is to say….]

Kakasha, who had been avoiding the question, released a heavy sigh.
Realizing there was no further escape, he opened his mouth.

[S-seven million coins… In truth, even that was insufficient, so I employed numerous Legendary-grade items that thou hast procured….]
“….”

I checked the backpack that had been in the room.
It was the one that had been brimming with Legendary-grade items.
Considering it possessed Subspace functionality, the quantity must have been staggering.
Yet now, the bag lay deflated.

“….”
[….]

A peculiar silence descended upon the office of the Arca Building.
I gazed upon the sacred artifact—seven million coins… or rather, when accounting for the Legendary items invested, it could exceed ten million coins in total value.
Was there ever a sacred artifact so extravagantly crafted?

“Well, it doesn’t matter. I can always earn more.”
[T-that is it! Thy such positive disposition…!]

The revived Kakasha shrank under my sharp gaze.
Regardless, I had obtained a truly magnificent sacred artifact.
With a sacred artifact of this caliber, it would prove invaluable in the battles to come.

“This event has given me yet another reason to excel.”

I suddenly needed coins for an unexpected reason.
Truly, a reason I had never anticipated.

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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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