The Crazy Battle God Has Returned - Chapter 314
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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 314
A Trial of God unfolded in the Demon Realm, in Pandemonium.
Upon hearing this news, Kakasha immediately informed Han Yu-sung.
“Perfect timing. I was growing bored anyway.”
[I knew you would respond in such a manner.]
Han Yu-sung welcomed the news.
Kakasha had also gathered information about what the Trial of God entailed.
It was knowledge shared among the Lords of Pandemonium.
[The Trial of God, the Battlefield of Good and Evil, opens.]
[Those who cannot tolerate the existence of ‘Pandemonium’ are attacking. From this moment forward, the Oath-takers of Pandemonium must stand against an endless tide of enemies in a special Battlefield.]
[Should the defense fail, the enemies will invade Pandemonium itself.]
“The trial itself holds nothing unusual. It’s just a standard defense map.”
[Indeed, I share that assessment. The only distinction is that if the defense fails, the enemies will directly invade Pandemonium.]
“This is…”
Upon reading those words, Han Yu-sung fell into contemplation.
“If I use this well, something interesting could unfold.”
[If players like Helud perish, the demon forces’ strength will plummet significantly. Overcoming this trial could become far more difficult.]
“Exactly. And should we fail…”
[Great chaos would befall Pandemonium.]
There was no reason to hesitate in the world of demons.
Regardless of what happened.
“First, I need to verify whether my authority still functions here.”
[That would be the most crucial matter.]
Han Yu-sung closed his eyes and concentrated his consciousness.
I felt the presence of the colossal fragment within me—the existence of the Mad Swordsman. And beyond that, the presence of the fragments the Mad Swordsman had absorbed in our previous battle.
A thick demonic aura began to flow from me.
Then, moments later.
[Tracked the location of the fragment possessed by Helud.]
[Current location of the fragment: Trial of God, 【Battlefield of Good and Evil】.]
[Opening the path to where that fragment is located.]
Whoooooosh!
Demonic energy flowed from Han Yu-sung, tearing through space and opening a passage.
It was a path leading directly to the 【Battlefield of Good and Evil】.
[The path has been opened.]
[Upon entry, you will step into the 【Battlefield of Good and Evil】.]
Han Yu-sung’s brow furrowed.
“I never thought this would actually be possible.”
[Mm, mmm… I share that sentiment…]
This was no Difficult Realm created by a Lord.
It was a ‘Trial of God’—forged by a great will and the Gods themselves.
Opening a path to such a place should be impossible.
All the more so when considering it was accomplished by a mere human.
[Even the Lords dare not attempt such a thing. If intervention is forbidden in a Trial, one can only pray for the Oath-taker’s success.]
“So you’re saying I opened a path to such a Trial…”
[…Reconsidering it, this is no ordinary ability.]
Han Yu-sung and Kakasha both felt a sense of crisis.
This effect must not become known yet. Eventually it would be discovered, but until then, concealing it as much as possible was paramount.
It was an ability of that magnitude.
“The mechanics of the Trial itself… won’t matter much.”
What kind of place this Trial was, or what form it would take—none of it mattered to me.
To be precise, it was ‘irrelevant’.
It had to be.
[You have not been invited to this Trial.]
[You cannot utilize any mechanics of the Trial of God. Every entity existing within the Trial will instinctively reject and oppose you.]
[Overcome the obstacles and achieve your objective!]
“This is ridiculous. Even for an uninvited guest, this is too much.”
[It seems my existence displeases you greatly. Well, I suppose even the original would feel the same. If someone who was never invited to the Difficult Realm I created suddenly appeared and wreaked havoc…]
“I’d want to throw them out on the spot.”
Even Han Yu-sung would have felt the same.
An uninvited guest had suddenly crashed the party and ruined everything.
The problem was that the uninvited guest was himself.
“With things as they are, I won’t be able to claim the Trial’s rewards either?”
[Don’t even think about it. You couldn’t obtain them in the first place, but the risk of trying would be far too great.]
“Right. Intruding into a Trial is dangerous enough. If I tried to claim the rewards on top of that… I’d be better off dealing with Helud quickly and slipping away.”
Han Yu-sung fell into thought for a moment.
Now that he knew it was possible to intrude into a Trial, all that remained was to eliminate Helud and absorb his fragments.
The problem was.
“I need to hide my identity if at all possible.”
[Is that because of the Lords or Gods observing the Trial?]
“Yes. And Dok-go Cheon is there too.”
I didn’t want it known that I was the one who killed Helud.
I hoped that news like “Han Yu-sung intervened in God’s Trial and killed Helud” would never reach Dok-go Cheon.
The very fact that I had intervened in God’s Trial was a risk in itself.
[That is certainly true. A human player intruding into a demon player’s Trial, killing someone, and vanishing…]
“If that became known, both the demon players and the Lords and Gods observing the Trial would go into an uproar. It would become unnecessary gossip.”
[A development that would not serve us well in our current situation.]
I needed to hide my identity.
To prevent that, I needed a way to conceal it. Disguising myself as a demon would be a viable method.
But it wasn’t a perfect solution.
[Ordinary disguises won’t fool the Lords and Gods. To deceive their eyes, I would need at least…]
“Something made by a Lord.”
[Do you possess such an item?]
“I have one, actually.”
Han Yu-sung withdrew an item into the Subspace.
The Mask of Chaos.
A mythic-grade item I had received as a reward for clearing the Difficult Realm from the Lord of Pleasure in the past.
The core effect was converting one stat into another.
Beyond that, it also carried a powerful ‘cognitive obstruction’ effect.
[Hmm. So it was made by Hwanrak. It should have some effect, but this alone will not suffice.]
“Can’t you strengthen it separately?”
[It is not easy. Since Hwanrak’s authority is embedded within it, if I carelessly laid hands upon it, it could transform into something half-baked. I could hide it so that Hwanrak wouldn’t know it was his work, but…]
“So it’s a choice that’s worse than doing nothing.”
Han Yu-sung closed his eyes and fell into thought.
There was also the method of acquiring a new item.
But the possibility of that approach was not particularly high.
“Then, I have no choice but to ask the Lord of Pleasure directly.”
[I share the same thought as you. However, he will certainly probe what you intend to do. Of course, if you tell him the truth, it seems he would be satisfied and do as you ask, but…]
“Telling him what I’m going to do is… problematic.”
The Lord of Pleasure was certainly a transcendent being who was favorably disposed toward Han Yu-sung.
But that did not mean he was someone I could completely trust.
Unlike Kakasha, who was bound by a contractual relationship, the Lord of Pleasure was connected only by goodwill. The bond could snap at any moment.
It meant I needed to remain vigilant.
[You should think about how to make your request.]
“Hmm…”
A fair point.
A fair point, but…
“…I don’t know why, but I have a feeling he might do it if I ask, without question.”
[That does seem like a possibility…]
The thought struck me suddenly.
The Lord of Pleasure—wouldn’t he strengthen the item as if he’d been waiting for this, without asking or questioning?
If it were any other Lord, such a thing would be absurd.
But the one in question was the Lord of Pleasure.
[That madman would probably just do it willingly, expecting to see what you’d accomplish with your item….]
“I had the same thought. For now, anyway.”
We’ll find out when we try.
If the Lord of Pleasure happened to strengthen the item on a whim, that would be fortunate. If not, I’d simply have to persuade him.
Han Yu-sung decided to arrange a meeting with the Lord of Pleasure.
* * *
The next day.
Han Yu-sung met with the Lord of Pleasure, his mind churning with various thoughts.
The Lord of Pleasure accepted the request to meet without hesitation. Remarkably so, despite meeting with a player who wasn’t an Oath-taker.
Having met with the Lord, Han Yu-sung stated his purpose.
[You want to strengthen the Mask of Chaos? Now that’s excellent!]
“….”
The Lord of Pleasure accepted with startling enthusiasm.
I had considered this possibility.
Yet his attitude was so refreshingly eager that I found myself momentarily taken aback.
“…I’m hardly in a position to ask, but are you certain about this?”
[What do you mean? Strengthening the Mask of Chaos? The fact that it wasn’t an Oath-taker who requested it? Why would that matter? It sounds entertaining.]
“I don’t even know what I’ll use it for.”
[You’ll use it for something fun. Won’t you?]
He had a point.
Intruding into a trial unfolding in another world, slaying renowned players, and escaping—that could only be called entertaining.
Especially for the Lord of Pleasure.
[I’ve been disappointed, actually. I gave you such a fine item, yet you barely use it. Are my items insufficient?!]
“….”
[You’re the first to treat my gift this way…! So hand it over! I’ll strengthen your item right now!]
The Lord’s eyes gleamed with an unsettling brilliance.
Watching him, I suddenly felt the urge to withdraw my request. Perhaps using a different method instead of the Mask of Chaos would be wiser.
It was already too late, and the thought was absurd anyway.
Han Yu-sung handed the Mask of Chaos to the Lord.
[What are your requirements? Speak!]
“Stronger cognitive obstruction. I’d like a function that can completely change my appearance. These two alone would be sufficient.”
[Modest requests, indeed.]
The Lord’s eyes blinked several times.
Then he smiled wickedly.
[It won’t be difficult.]
With a confident response, I received the Mask of Chaos.
Enveloped in tremendous power, the Mask of Chaos levitated in the air.
Crack, crunch!
I heard something shattering and reassembling.
Soon the mask began emitting an intense radiance.
When that light subsided, the result revealed itself.
[Take it. You’ll find it quite useful.]
A new mask fell into Han Yu-sung’s grasp.
On the surface, it appeared largely unchanged. Yet I could feel the presence of ‘Hwanrak’s power’ within it—incomparably greater than before.
I examined the Mask of Chaos.
[Mask of Hwanrak (Mythic)]
· Slot: Face.
· Grants powerful cognitive obstruction. You can deceive anyone’s eyes as long as you refrain from conspicuous actions.
· The wearer can temporarily 【Convert】 one stat of their choice into a random stat. Stats added through items cannot be converted.
· Can use 【Metamorphosis】 to disguise as other races. Cannot transform into appearances drastically different from your original form.
· Can deploy 【Hwanrak’s Veil】, which blocks external observation and prevents entry. This effect dissipates after three uses.
The name had changed.
From Mask of Chaos to Mask of Hwanrak.
Its effects were difficult to believe for a Mythic-grade item.
[Han Yu-sung, I look forward to what you’ll accomplish with this item…]
Anticipation gleamed in the Lord’s eyes.
I nodded without hesitation.
“As much as you need.”
Of course.
Though I had no intention of showing the Lord of Pleasure what I was about to do.
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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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