The Crazy Battle God Has Returned - Chapter 324

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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 324

The battle unfolded exactly as everyone had predicted.
The Righteous Faction’s overwhelming superiority.
They swept across the Battlefield, resolving monsters and incidents, hunting down every member of the Demonic Faction they encountered.
Je Gal Hwi, the strategist, lent them his unique ability.

“The strategist’s hawk. Hmm, it seems there are Demonic Faction members over there. According to the intelligence, we should be able to hunt them down easily.”
“Then let’s go. What’s there to hesitate about?”

Je Gal Hwi’s unique ability was the ‘Hawk of the Battlefield’.
It allowed him to analyze a certain range of the Battlefield from an omniscient perspective, and to create hawks composed of crystalline energy.
The hawks could be used for reconnaissance or to rapidly transmit information to allies—countless applications at his disposal.
With this ability, Je Gal Hwi commanded the entire Battlefield.

“According to the strategist’s intelligence, those should be Green Forest Bandits. They’re fighting monsters, so…”
“We eliminate them and kill the monsters as well.”
“Right, we move quickly. We can’t let anyone else claim the credit.”

The Demonic Faction’s numbers dwindled rapidly.
Already severely outmatched in overall strength.
The Demonic Faction’s martial artists, accustomed to survival by any means, couldn’t hold their ground.
And so.

“There! The Righteous Faction! The Righteous Faction is here! Retreat!”
“Wait, just a bit more and we’ll defeat that monster…!”
“We’ll die if we stay! Just run!”

The Demonic Faction’s warriors abandoned their battles and fled.
Ultimately, the Righteous Faction achieved easy victory, and by handling the monsters and incidents the Demonic Faction left behind, they steadily accumulated strength.

[The ‘Righteous Faction’ has resolved a certain number of incidents.]
[All members of the Righteous Faction receive a buff: All stats +10%, Attack and Defense +10%, Speed +5%.]

A buff, as it was called.
Strengthened by the buff’s effects, the Righteous Faction moved with even greater vigor, and the Demonic Faction’s forces began to crumble at an accelerating pace.
This was dangerous. Soon it would become uncontrollable.
The only saving grace was.

[The balance of power is tilting toward the Righteous Faction.]
[An opportunity has been granted to the Demonic Faction to correct this situation.]
[Special Event: ‘The Poison Dragon That Devours Itself’ has begun. Conquer the Forest and eliminate the Poison Dragon! Those who resolve the special event will receive extraordinary reinforcements for their faction!]
[This message will be shared with all members of the Righteous Faction after 2 hours, and members of the Righteous Faction will be able to participate in the special event starting after 1 hour.]
[A ‘Gate’ leading to the location where the special event unfolds opens.]

God’s Trial had no desire for the battle to end so listlessly.
It had granted the Demonic Faction an opportunity to accumulate strength as well.
The problem was that this opportunity wasn’t given solely to the Demonic Faction.

“Everyone, you’ve all confirmed the message, I presume.”

The Evil Faction Base.
The leaders of each faction had gathered there to converse.

“…Extraordinary reinforcements given to whichever faction resolves it?”
“This means if the Righteous Faction solves it, the benefits go to them. This is untrustworthy! We’re already in a disadvantageous position!”
“Can we even resolve this event?”

What they had thought was a lifeline turned out to be a rotten rope.
The problem was they couldn’t afford to ignore it either.

“…If we don’t act, the Righteous Faction will resolve the event. Then it’s over.”
“We must stop them. We have to resolve the event from our faction no matter what—if we don’t, our chances of victory will vanish entirely.”
“There’s nothing we can do anyway.”

Bi Wol, the leader of the Assassination Guild who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
Only his eyes gleamed coldly from behind the cloth that concealed his face.

“At least we’ve been given a little time, which is fortunate.”
“…There’s no other way then.”

The Demonic Faction had no choice to speak of.
Their only option was to resolve the special event before the Righteous Faction learned of it.

“Should we pour all of the Demonic Faction’s forces into the special event?”
“No, the enemy will notice. We must send those we can trust while possessing the greatest strength among us.”
“In the meantime, the rest should move as usual to draw attention. What remains is how to select such individuals….”

Those seated exchanged glances with one another.
Selecting based on skill alone would not be difficult.
The problem was trust.
How could one rely on those for whom survival by any means had become second nature?

“Then, I shall go.”
“Red Blood Ming, you? Hmm….”

While none of the others stepped forward readily.
Red Blood Ming of the Blood Cult raised his hand.
All turned their gaze upon him with evident surprise. This was not the sort who typically volunteered first.
Hao Mun Master and Neung Gu-pyung scrutinized Red Blood Ming as though appraising him.

‘His martial prowess has reached a remarkably elevated state….’

The same held true for Red Blood Ming and all the Blood Cult members who had participated in the trial.
It was said they had recently entered into a contract with the Lord of War. The unexpected news had sent tremors throughout the entire Martial Arts World.
Without question, the Lord of War had extended substantial support.
In any case.

‘Not bad at all. This intelligence will fetch a handsome price.’

When no one was watching, Neung Gu-pyung smiled with sinister intent.
This trial could not be won regardless.
He had already made contact with the Martial Arts Alliance beforehand using the Ha-o Sect’s intelligence network, and had conspired with them.
In exchange for providing Je Gal Hwi with necessary information, he had secured a guarantee of profit.

‘A special incident, combined with information about the members….’

He could command a substantial sum.
The faction leaders who witnessed Red Blood Ming’s voluntary step forward fell into contemplation.
And shortly thereafter.

“The Demon Sect shall participate as well.”
“Hmm, very well. The Assassination Guild shall join too.”
“This… is an atmosphere where one cannot help but participate.”

The other factions expressed their willingness to participate.
If the leaders of each faction and their elite forces moved together, they might be able to end the special event quickly.
Red Blood Ming, witnessing this sight, nodded in acknowledgment.

“Everyone, prepare yourselves. We do not have much time.”

The warriors of the Demonic Faction hastily made ready to depart.
Red Blood Ming inspected weapons alongside the members of the Blood Cult.
Seven Evils approached silently to his side.

“…Master.”
“I know. It seems the time to move has come.”

This was precisely the moment Red Blood Ming had been waiting for.
His crimson eyes surveyed the warriors preparing to depart.
There was not a shred of trust reflected in those eyes.

“I have cast bait before the Righteous Faction dogs.”

Now only one thing remained.

“I must observe how they move….”

If there was one thing I desired,
it was that this would be the moment Han Yu-sung had been waiting for.

* * *

Information about the Demonic Faction was also conveyed to the strategist Je Gal Hwi.
Word that the special event had begun, and that the Righteous Faction could intervene after one hour.
It was nothing short of a blessing for the Demonic Faction in its disadvantageous position.
At the same time, it was an opportunity for the Righteous Faction as well.

“The master of the Blood Cult and the leaders gather. And their elite forces too… If I could annihilate these bastards….”

I could solidify victory in this trial decisively.
And achieve greater merit than anyone else.
Je Gal Hwi hoped that would be the Alliance Master, Lee Baek.
Thus, he conveyed the intelligence he had obtained to the Alliance Master.

“I need to make a move.”
“I will monitor the enemies’ movements. And Dok-go Cheon as well.”

The Alliance Leader was also preparing to head toward where the special event was unfolding.
The Demonic Faction had decided to send their leader and elite forces to the special event. To eliminate those enemies without casualties, we needed to match their strength accordingly.
Only the Alliance Leader and the Martial Arts Alliance’s elite were capable of such a task.
Of course, Dok-go Cheon was included in that assessment as well.

‘I must move before Dok-go Cheon. There’s no guarantee that he has no connection to the Demonic Faction….’

Je Gal Hwi had no intention of sharing the credit with Dok-go Cheon.
Soon, the Alliance Leader and the elite forces departed from the Main Base.

“We should prepare for contingencies. Je Gal Hwi, I’m entrusting this to you. Assemble reinforcements with those we can trust.”
“Yes, Alliance Leader.”

I had no intention of losing, but I wouldn’t be careless either.
Je Gal Hwi followed the Alliance Leader’s orders while observing the Battlefield’s situation and keeping watch on Dok-go Cheon.
He was in the midst of hunting the Demonic Faction.
He showed no particularly unusual movements.
At least, that’s how it appeared on the surface.

“Kugh—ack!”
“Hmm, this is….”

A sharp blade severed the enemy’s neck.
The corpse crumbled.
The shadow beneath it writhed before transforming into mist. Soon, the mist formed into characters.
Dok-go Cheon nodded after reading the message.

“The time has come. You know what needs to be done, don’t you?”
“Yes, Dok-go Cheon.”

Those with him nodded in agreement.
The Alliance Leader and Je Gal Hwi viewed Dok-go Cheon as nothing more than a competitor.
One who coveted their position, but belonged to the same Righteous Faction.
They judged he would not overstep the bounds.
Especially not within God’s Trial.

“Everyone, proceed according to plan.”

That would bring about their deaths.

* * *

Special Event: 【The Poison Dragon That Devours Itself】.
The Poison Dragon dwelled in the Forest. The entire region was tainted with venom, and it teemed with monsters equally poisoned—a place of lethal toxins.
Since it had appeared with the event’s beginning, few knew of its existence.
Demonic Faction warriors were now exploring that Forest.

– Kiiiiaaaaaah!
“Tch, poison everywhere!”
“Fortunately, we have means to prevent poisoning. Still, be cautious. There may be monsters capable of piercing through poison resistance.”

The number of Demonic Faction warriors exploring the Forest was roughly three hundred.
Considering they consisted solely of elite fighters, it was a substantial force. They advanced swiftly, eliminating monsters that blocked their path.
Yet they could not focus entirely on slaying monsters.

‘This is maddening. Can I even trust these people?’
‘Sigh, I never thought I’d envy the Righteous Faction. At least they can cooperate without worry, but these people here… it’s simply impossible.’

It stemmed from mutual suspicion.
Before the Trial opened, some of these warriors had been enemies, fighting one another. With such people gathered together, unease was inevitable.
The problem was the lack of time. Without opportunity to address that anxiety, the raiding party had to advance through the Forest rapidly.

Whoooosh!
“Seven Evils! Move in formation with me!”
“Understood!”

There was one force that allowed the raiding party to advance despite the suspicion.
The Blood Cult.
The Blood Cult warriors, led by Red Blood Ming, took the vanguard and advanced, eliminating enemies that blocked their path with remarkable skill.
The Demonic Faction warriors who witnessed this let out exclamations of admiration.

‘I sensed they had grown stronger, but to this extent?’
‘Remarkable. They are incomparable to when we last met.’
‘Hmm, he was just an arrogant brat before…’

The Blood Cult advanced without hesitation, and the Demonic Faction, setting aside their mutual suspicions for now, followed in their wake.
Shouts and screams echoed across the vast Forest.
How far had they progressed?

Kuuuuuung!

When the Demonic Faction entered the deepest reaches of the Forest.
A deafening roar shook the entire area. Smoke billowed from the marshes in all directions, and within it, a formidable presence writhed and coiled.
And moments later.

[The ‘Poison Dragon that Devours Itself’ has appeared!]
– Kyaaaaaaaa!

The objective of this incident had arrived.
A Poison Dragon of overwhelming proportions. The serpent, radiating venom from every inch of its body, flicked its tongue as it surveyed the Demonic Faction’s martial artists surrounding it.
Red Blood Ming swallowed hard upon meeting that gaze.

“…Let’s go!”

Red Blood Ming charged toward the Poison Dragon.
A resounding battle cry followed in his wake.
Bi Wol, master of the Assassination Guild, watched the Demonic Faction’s martial artists engage the Poison Dragon and quietly slipped away.

‘It seems the time I promised The Wanderer has arrived.’

I felt sorry for those fighting the Poison Dragon.
But they could not be allowed to succeed in hunting the beast.
Bi Wol and the Assassination Guild’s assassins began preparing something.

[So the trash begins to move.]
“Time to get started. We should prepare as well.”
[Hmm. I hope Dok-go Cheon is as cunning as you believe. Then everything will unfold as planned.]

Han Yu-sung, observing the Forest’s situation through Kakasha.
He nodded as he gazed upon the Righteous Faction’s martial artists encircling the Forest.

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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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