The Crazy Battle God Has Returned - Chapter 49

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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 49

Han Yu-sung explained the events of that night.
How a Reward Dungeon had appeared in Yeoju City and he’d gone to clear it, how the Lord of the Dead had unleashed his Apostles to steal the rewards, and how he’d eliminated them using the dungeon’s rewards.
How he’d dealt with them by utilizing the dungeon’s compensation.
The Lord of Shadow listened to the account in silence.

[“I see.”]

That was her only response after hearing the story.
Contempt and irritation flickered in her eyes—though naturally, not directed at Han Yu-sung, but at another Lord.

[“A fool overreached and paid the price for it… Since you harbored no intention of framing anyone, there is nothing to blame you for.”]
“There’s no reason to frame a Lord with no connection to me.”

Especially not when that Lord is the Lord of Shadow.
She possessed a dispassionate yet rational nature. She cared for her Apostles and her coins, but remained indifferent to everything else.
So long as no one touched her.

[“A player wielding shadow-based skills invaded my territory, slew more than half my Apostles, and vanished without a trace….”]

Did using shadow-related skills make someone a Shadow Oath-taker?
Of course not. Among mages, some rarely wielded shadow magic. Rogues who employed shadow-based concealment existed as well.
That wasn’t the issue.

[“Only a Shadow Oath-taker could accomplish such a feat. The Lord of the Dead would have had no choice but to suspect them, if only for the sake of his own pride.”]

The Shadow Oath-takers were an elite few.
Small in number but formidable in strength. Initially, the Lord of the Dead must have assembled various clues and arrived at the suspicion of the Shadow Oath-takers.
But as time passed, he would have realized something was amiss.

[“The Lord of the Dead—that fool—must have known. He would have grasped roughly what transpired in his territory. And he would have understood that neither I nor my Apostles were involved.”]

The Lord of the Dead had publicly denounced the Lord of Shadow.
By the time he realized his mistake, retreat was no longer an option.
Having made a public accusation, he had to bear responsibility in some form.
The Lord of the Dead chose to bear that responsibility through ‘war’.

‘I suspect they intended to bury it completely if they’d succeeded.’

Now that it had failed, such thoughts were meaningless.
The surroundings fell silent. Eyes regarded Han Yu-sung wordlessly.

[“Do you not feel your life is in danger? I could inform the Lord of the Dead about what happened in Yeoju City.”]
“Hmm, then the Lord of the Dead would try to kill me.”
[“Yes. Are you not afraid?”]

At that question, Han Yu-sung let out a soft laugh.
Having lived through a previous life, I had entangled myself with countless Lords. Thanks to that, I roughly understood what disposition those Lords with epithets possessed.
The qualities they preferred as well.

“Do you have a reason to do that?”
[“Amusing words indeed. You speak as though you know me well.”]

Eyes regarding Han Yu-sung with intrigue.
Those eyes swayed left and right.

[“The answer is no. I have no reason to do something the Lord of the Dead would enjoy. Above all, I gained much from this affair.”]
[“Moreover, you came here to take responsibility for something you could have ignored and overlooked, and you led the Difficult Realm to my victory.”]
[“This situation… I quite like it.”]

Emotion entered a voice that had been utterly indifferent and detached.
It was intrigue. The Lord of Shadow felt a strong fascination with Han Yu-sung.
Though unintended, I came here to take responsibility for a situation that arose because of me, and resolved it with remarkable skill.
That conduct had drawn the Lord’s attention.

[“Would you consider making a contract with me?”]
[What, what! No! Don’t listen! Profit! This cunning fox!]

To the extent of suddenly proposing a contract.
It was not merely a tentative probe, but words spoken with sincerity.

[“It seems you already have a contracted Lord. Probably one related to flames… a Lord not particularly strong. Would that Lord be of great help to you? If you contract with me, much would change.”]
[Kyaaak! Is this woman truly mad!]
[“I promise you the finest treatment. With your abilities, you could one day become a Shadow Oath-taker. What do you think of this proposal?”]
[I, making a counteroffer to another’s contracted Oath-taker…!]

Han Yu-sung felt an overwhelming wave of exhaustion wash over him.
The text appearing before his eyes, the voice of the Lord of Shadow, and on top of it all, Kakasha’s voice thrashing about in his mind like a monkey seeing fire for the first time.

“Not a bad offer.”
[What?!]

Kakasha was taken aback.
But only for a moment.

“However, I must decline.”
[“Ho, you decline? May I ask your reason?”]
“Because I’m satisfied with my current situation.”

Upon hearing Han Yu-sung’s answer, Kakasha felt relieved.
The Lord of Shadow’s response was tinged with both bewilderment and fascination.

[“A pity indeed. Yet this too is not without merit. This offer remains valid at any time—should you change your mind, seek me out.”]
[“And separately from that, since you have brought me considerable benefit, I too must offer fitting compensation…”]

Light flickered between the shadows.
The radiance drew near to Han Yu-sung, then was absorbed into him.

[The Lord of Shadow bestows a reward according to your contribution.]
[You have acquired 20,000 Coins.]
[The Teachings of the Transcendent are inscribed into the Nox Arcana.]
[The Lord has granted you Shadow’s Blessing.]
[You have obtained the Eye of Night (Legendary).]

Four rewards in total.
Among them was one I had not anticipated.
One that would make Kakasha thrash about in fury.

[Kyaaak! That sinister woman bestowed a blessing upon you?!]

Shadow’s Blessing.
A Lord grants blessings to the Oath-takers bound by contract. A blessing can also be bestowed upon those without contract, though it is a diminished form of the blessing. It exists, certainly, but few Lords grant such blessings.
It is a rare occurrence indeed.

[Uuugh! You must refuse it! You must refuse such a blessing, I tell you! What difference is there between this and her marking you with her saliva?!]

It would be better to make a contract and grant a blessing instead—there’s no reason to grant protection otherwise.
If I were to grant protection, there would be two major reasons for it.
First, the other player pleased me that much.
Second, it was a manifestation of my will to make them my Apostle someday.

[Iiiiiiiieeeeek…!]

At the same time, this was also a provocation against the opposing Lord.
I had left a mark saying I would steal your Apostle away someday—it could only be seen as provocation.
Kakasha wasn’t having a fit for nothing.
Han Yu-sung swallowed a sigh.

[Protection of Shadow (Unique)]
· All stats +4.
· Shadow-type skill damage +10%, mana consumption –10%.
· Affinity with shadows increases; speed +5% when in shadow.

[Eyes of the Night (Legendary)]
· Slot: Necklace.
· All stats +7.
· Vision remains clear even in deep darkness.
· During deep night, this item’s effects are doubled. Additionally, shadow-type skill damage is enhanced by +20%.

As befitted a blessing, the effects were somewhat weak for its grade.
Only slightly better than the Blessing of War, currently at Uncommon grade.
Either way, it permanently boosted various stats, so it wasn’t bad.
Eyes of the Night was also a decent item.

[“Nox Arcana. Not bad for something a human mage created alone. It seems enlightenment was lacking, preventing completion.”]
[“Adding a bit more wouldn’t hurt.”]

What remained was Nox Arcana.
The teachings of a Transcendent had been woven into the skill, or so I was told.
What kind of change it had brought about would soon become clear.

[Nox Arcana (S, Lv.5)]
· Classification: Active.
· Shadow magic founded by the madman known as The Hermit. Though incomplete, the teachings of a special being have been woven into this spell. When you are ready, this magic shall ascend to the next tier.
· Effect: Magical Power +15, Speed of enemies struck by this magic –20%.
· Additional Effect: Damage of this skill +30%, increased range.
* Umbra Weapon: Awakens shadows in the surrounding area and transforms them into various weapons to strike enemies of your choosing.
* Impale: Shadows surge forth from all directions—from the ground or the environment itself—piercing all enemies within a certain radius without mercy.

I could see the skill had been strengthened and new magic added.
The Nox Frenzy, which I couldn’t control at will before, had transformed into something that could now strike the enemies I desired.
And there was one more thing.

[“In your current state, you cannot fully bloom this potential. But when the time comes—when you have grown sufficiently—”]
[“The seed of possibility shall blossom completely.”]

In simple terms, it meant the possibility of advancement had emerged.
When I reached a sufficient level, this S-rank skill, Nox Arcana, would likewise ascend to the next tier and become SS-rank.

[“Han Yu-sung. That was your name, was it not? An unfamiliar one.”]
“Well, that makes sense. I’m still unknown.”
[“Are you unknown, or do you wish to remain unknown?”]

I laughed silently.
That was my answer.

[“I shall keep your identity concealed. However, this is not out of respect for your desire to remain unknown.”]
“You want to confuse the Lord of the Dead?”

The Lord of Shadow offered no response.
As expected, that silence was answer enough.

“Either way, it works out well. The time isn’t right yet.”
[“Your world has a saying—’a knife hidden in a sleeve.’ Whether you wish it or not, a being like you shall soon be revealed.”]
[“Then.”]

The shadows around us began to fade.
A dark doorway materialized within them, and I stood before it.

[“Perhaps we shall meet again someday, should the opportunity arise.”]
[“I shall await that moment.”]

Han Yu-sung stepped through the dark doorway.
When I opened my eyes, I stood before the building’s entrance.
Seoul, at the front gate of Shadow’s Cradle Building.

[Ptui! Ptui! Meet again? Never shall such a thing come to pass! Come now, spit upon that building as well! This very instant!]
‘He’s being unusually loud today.’

Han Yu-sung exhaled a weary sigh.
Then, from not far away, I felt a gaze upon me.
It was none other than the Shadow Oath-taker, Yoon Ga-ram.
She met my eyes and offered a light bow before departing.

‘So what remains now… is God’s Trial.’

For now, I had largely completed what needed to be done.
It would be wise to prepare for the trials that would unfold in the time ahead.
And perhaps, there I would receive aid from several of the Lords.
Whether I desired it or not.

‘It seems I shall meet them sooner than expected.’

Han Yu-sung walked while recalling his conversation with the Lord of Shadow.
Kakasha’s voice convulsed in my mind, but I ignored it.
How long had I ignored it?

[D-don’t abandon this one… Oath-taker… please…]

Moisture began to tinge Kakasha’s voice.

“What are you babbling about now?”
[N-no… another Lord, the Lord of Shadow no less… this cannot be… didn’t we swear an oath with our very lives that I would become a Lord surpassing even Achiros…?]
“I’m going mad.”

Han Yu-sung squeezed my eyes shut.
Had I perhaps chosen the wrong Lord to hold the leash?
Such regret filled that night.

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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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