The Crazy Battle God Has Returned - Chapter 22

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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 22

The blade, consecrated by coin as sacrifice, blazes with holy fire.
A sacred relic—Flames of War. This relic possesses one defining characteristic.

[Flames of War (Grade C Sacred Relic)]
· A sacred relic of the Lord of War, Kakasha. Once extinguished entirely, the flames now burn anew, fueled by sacrifice.
· Can be used only once—【Conflagration of Terror】. These flames incinerate enemies and immolate the opponent’s protective barrier.

To incinerate the protective barrier of those touched by the Conflagration.
Merely once, yet the effect is absolute. The invincible shield enveloping the Hunter burned away to nothing—proof enough of its potency.
Kakasha exhaled a breath of relief.

[Phew, that was close. I feared the Lord’s direct intervention would be deemed necessary, yet fortunately it seems we’ve evaded that judgment.]

Had it been a more formidable relic, the Lord would have deemed direct intervention warranted.
But the Flames of War carry a low grade, and its effects remain incomplete.
This was judged not as direct intervention.
Most importantly of all.

[Do not forget, Covenant Bearer. Six minutes.]

The relic’s power is not infinite.
Kakasha whispered softly.

[That beast’s protective barrier, being a gift from the Trial, naturally carries divine power to some degree. My strength can sustain it for six minutes at most.]
“That’s enough.”

Six minutes—more than sufficient to kill the Hunter.
Han Yu-sung’s fist cleaved through empty air.

Craaaash!

[Guh, kack!]

Blood Dragon’s Roar struck the Hunter’s abdomen with devastating force.
Flesh tore and mangled. The dragon’s fangs ripped into his shoulder.
Han Yu-sung unleashed Gale Stride, sweeping in a wide arc around the Hunter.

Shwiiik! Thud!

A brilliant blade unfurled from Han Yu-sung’s fingertips.
The swordsmanship of the Lucen Kingdom—Sagrado, the Inferno of War, tore through the air and pierced through the Hunter’s body in countless places.
The Hunter shrieked in agony.

[Prey, how dare you! Krraaagh!]
“Huu…!”

The Hunter roared and swung both arms in a wide arc. The greatsword crossed in a massive X, attempting to cleave Han Yu-sung cleanly in half.
But Han Yu-sung’s movements were fractionally faster.
As if anticipating the Hunter’s assault, he evaded the greatsword with minimal motion and launched a counterattack.

Kwaabooom!

[Kh, grrgh…!]

A succession of blood-red flashes lashed across the Hunter’s entire body.
The Hunter’s movements froze momentarily. Han Yu-sung surged forward, gripping Sagrado, the Inferno of War, ever tighter.
His target was singular.
The heel.

‘I must strip away his mobility first.’

This creature’s strength lay in its agility. While it remained dazed, I had to sever that advantage.
The judgment was utterly precise.
The blazing blade drove deep into the Hunter’s heel.

[Ghaaaaaa!]

The blade, burrowing deep through flesh, severed the Achilles tendon.
Simultaneously, the lingering hellfire on the blade incinerated the wound.
The Hunter possessed considerable regenerative power. This should suffice to impede its healing.
Han Yu-sung drew a deep breath.

Shwaaaack!

‘That should do it.’

Han Yu-sung pivoted his body and slashed across to sever the opposite heel.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he pushed off the ground and retreated backward.
A massive sword aura swept across the space where he had stood.

[Tch, nooooo….]

The Hunter’s eyes gleamed with murderous intent, fixed directly upon Han Yu-sung.
What dwelled in those eyes was profound rage.
To target the prey’s Achilles heel first—such was the quintessential behavior of a hunter. An intelligent tactic to maximize the success rate of the hunt.
And that was what enraged the Hunter.

[Mere prey dares to hunt me!]

Boom! Both greatswords plunged into the earth.
Ferocious power gathered at the blades’ tips. That power burrowed deep into the ground, then erupted toward where Han Yu-sung stood.
Crack! The sound of splitting earth tore through the air.

Kabooooom!

A colossal explosion detonated beneath Han Yu-sung’s feet.
A violent detonation, scorching heat surging from the fractured earth’s crevices.
Countless fragments born from the blast engulfed him.
He unfurled his Blood Wind technique while simultaneously executing evasive footwork.

Whoooosh!
“Hah…!”

A fierce blood wind swept the incoming fragments away.
But it could not withstand the explosion itself. The ferocious power’s detonation consumed him, and intense impact and heat overwhelmed his form.
Sharp pain ravaged his entire body.

“Hah!”

That pain sharpened Han Yu-sung’s consciousness further.
This was a battle where lives hung in the balance. Even the slightest mistake would lead to death.
And this—this was precisely the situation I savored most.
I felt my thoughts accelerate with crystalline clarity.
What must I do?

‘There is no path of retreat.’

The only choice was to charge forward.
Han Yu-sung became a fierce gale, launching himself at his opponent.
I could not afford to give the Hunter time to breathe. I closed the distance between us in an instant, my fists moving in a dizzying blur.
The relentless Blood Wind Fist technique crashed against the Hunter’s frame.

[Grraaaaaaah!]

Shhhhwack!

But the Hunter was no easy prey.
He read the trajectory of my wind-like movements and thrust his blade into my path. Simultaneously, a sword aura erupted toward me.
I unfolded my footwork technique to evade, but could not escape completely.
A deep wound was carved into my body.

[You are fast, I’ll grant you that! But… that is all!]

The Hunter roared as he unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks.
Wounds from the Blood Wind technique were being carved into his body as well. But they lacked decisive power.
This would not be enough to kill him.
Meanwhile, each of the Hunter’s attacks carried devastating force.
A single failed dodge meant instant death.

[Speed, after all, is something one can adapt to!]

The Hunter roared and raised both greatswords high.
Seeing that motion, I unfolded the Cloud Drifting Step without hesitation.

[Your feeble fists cannot hunt me!]

Krrrrrrrack!

As both greatswords struck the earth, a sword aura erupted.
Like a tempest sweeping around the Hunter, a blade aura that seemed intent on cutting down all who approached.
The Hunter laughed wildly as he watched me retreat.

[I am the Hunter! Human! You are the prey…!]

A tempest of blade energy erupted, a portion of it crashing down upon Han Yu-sung.
The sword energy he failed to evade carved deep wounds across his body.
Blood sprayed forth. Han Yu-sung swallowed hard and deployed his footwork once more.
His form shot toward the Hunter.

[Do you still not comprehend the futility of your efforts!]

Blade and fist crossed in collision.
This was the borderline—a realm of death where a single misstep meant forfeiting one’s life.
A desperate struggle that would have paralyzed any other player with tension, a crossroads between survival and oblivion.
Han Yu-sung felt an intense thirst coursing through him.

[No matter what method is employed, victory against such a powerhouse remains impossible.]
[The buff ‘Giant Slaying’ activates through the effect of Divine Descent.]
[All stats +20, fist damage +40%, speed +20%.]

Messages materialized before my eyes.
The stat bonuses granted by Divine Descent. Despite my weakened state from starvation—hovering near level 70—the buff was providing maximum enhancement.
The Hunter, Nocturnal Predator, was a being of such formidable strength.
So then, could he not be broken?

‘Impossible.’

Had that been the case, I would never have initiated this battle.
There was simply one deficiency: insufficient firepower to slay the Hunter.
Nocturnal Predator was a formidable adversary beyond my current capacity to face.
Therefore, I had to forge a method to overcome him.
Fortunately, such a method existed.

“Ugh, argh!”
[Slower now. Your fists falter. Your legs too… they tremble!]

Blood drenched the earth.
It flowed from both Han Yu-sung and the Hunter—testament to their fierce exchange. Of course, the Hunter had shed more blood.
Yet the greater damage had been inflicted upon Han Yu-sung.
A consequence born from the absolute disparity of their races.

[The more arduous the hunt, the more gratifying the reward.]

Hunter was certain of victory.
Wounded prey cannot flee far. It may attempt escape in desperation, but within moments it loses strength and collapses.
The human before me was no exception.
He no longer possessed the strength to throw a punch. He lacked the vigor to move his legs with speed.
Then only one future remained for him.

[The hunt… begins!]

Being hunted.
Han Yu-sung exhaled roughly.
A fierce roar accompanied the sound of air being cleaved.
Two greatswords aimed precisely at his head.
There was no room to evade.
Death was closing in.

[You possess an unyielding will.]
[Your final flame ignites. All attributes surge dramatically.]

A smile crossed Han Yu-sung’s lips.
A savage, bestial smile.
Seeing it, Hunter’s brow furrowed.
Smiling in this situation? Had he lost his mind before death?
The answer to that question became clear instantly.

[What….]

Boom!

Han Yu-sung’s form vanished.
The greatswords, robbed of their target, struck the innocent earth instead. The blow was powerful enough to carve a massive crater, yet it was meaningless.
Hunter’s eyes darted frantically across his surroundings.

Crash!

[Ugh, gasp!]

A tremendous impact struck my back.
The crimson tempest tore through my entire body, and Hunter spun around in panic.
But it was too late. Han Yu-sung had already vanished.
And then, another impact came crashing down.

Crack! Snap!

[Cough, gag…?!]

Fists rained down from all directions without pause.
The power behind each blow was extraordinary. Impossibly, they had grown stronger than before. Han Yu-sung’s speed had accelerated as well.
So much so that Hunter could no longer track him with his eyes.

[This is… insane… Hack!]

Hunter’s blood scattered across the battlefield.
How could a man on death’s door moments ago unleash such devastating power?
It was impossible!

‘Recovery? No, that’s not it. This man…’

He is dying.
Hunter was certain of it. Despite the otherworldly strength he wielded, Han Yu-sung’s body stood at death’s threshold.
All I need do is create distance and wait for him to perish.
Hunter possessed the means to do exactly that.

[Roooaaarrr!]

Clang!

Hunter’s two greatswords merged together.
The unified blade radiated a savage aura. He unleashed a furious roar and slashed through the air as if tearing the very fabric of space itself.
For a moment, silence fell.
And then, shortly after.

Boom!

Countless sword auras erupted.
They were born from the great blade that had merged into one.
The sword auras were so densely woven that there was no gap to slip through, no space to escape.
The Hunter’s two arms swelled grotesquely from unleashing the auras.
His hands pressed against the ground.

‘He’s thinking of fleeing to buy time for recovery.’

At the same time, Han Yu-sung would naturally be waiting to die.
Of course.

[Grrr…?!]

I had no intention of letting him escape.
Han Yu-sung kicked off the ground.
The Hunter’s eyes widened as he watched me hurl myself into the storm of sword auras without a moment’s hesitation.
His gaze held shock and confusion.

[Charging? Why?]

I had already reached my limit.
Unyielding Will only greatly amplified all my stats when my life hung by a thread—it did not restore my body.
If even one attack connected, I would die on the spot.
Charging through countless sword auras was no different from suicide.

Shhhhwaaaack!

Countless sword auras descended upon Han Yu-sung, who had willingly rushed into their midst.
The auras tore through the pitch-black martial robes, severing flesh and bone beneath.
And then they claimed my life….
That’s how it should have ended.

Clang clang clang clang!

[…!]

A thunderous boom reverberated through the air.
A sound like rough metal being scraped against something harder.
It was the noise created by the sword auras that had descended upon my martial robes.
Countless sword auras collided with the fabric, only to dissipate uselessly moments later.
The Hunter’s eyes widened in disbelief at the impossible sight.

[What… how?]

It was the effect of the blacksteel martial robes.
For a brief moment, they hardened the fabric beyond the durability of metal itself, turning the opponent’s attacks to nothing.
That was what had stopped the sword auras.
The distance between us closed.

“That was quite entertaining, Hunter. Or rather…”

I drew both my arms back in a wide arc.
One hand wielded a blade while the other commanded a whirlwind of blood energy.
Closing the distance in an instant, I thrust both arms forward.

“Prey.”

A sickening sound of piercing flesh.

The War Flame pierced through the Hunter’s heart.
Simultaneously, the Blood Dragon’s Fang unfurled and tore at his throat.
A strangled cry escaped his lips—a scream that never fully formed.
That was the end.

A deep, resonant thud echoed out.

The Hunter’s massive, broken form collapsed.
Like prey hunted by the Hunter himself, he fell limp and still.

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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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