The Crazy Battle God Has Returned - Chapter 52

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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 52

I followed the arrow’s guidance, moving forward step by step.
The arrow led me to a Ruins—a place surrounded by numerous monsters forming settlements, making even approach perilous.
My destination lay in the deepest recesses of that Ruins.

“Is this it?”
[Hmm, there’s nothing here.]

I brushed the blood from my hands and surveyed the surroundings.
I’d pierced through the settlements near the Ruins by exploiting the shadows of night, and slaughtered every monster dwelling within the Ruins to reach this place.
Yet my destination held nothing.
Only the remnants of collapsed structures and piles of rubble blanketing the ground.

‘The arrow has vanished.’

The arrow that had guided my path was gone.
As if something existed here.
And the only place in this space worth investigating was—

Crash!

“It has to be here.”

I drove my fist down upon the rubble blanketing the floor.
Compressed blood wind erupted, scattering the stones in all directions.
And then, a magic circle buried beneath revealed itself.

[Hidden Dungeon: Forgotten Laboratory discovered!]
[This long-abandoned laboratory has become a hellscape as the experimental monsters bred unchecked. Eliminate the monsters and uncover the research result hidden in the deepest chamber.]

It was a magic circle leading to a Hidden Dungeon.
The “research result” hidden in the deepest part of the Forgotten Laboratory was likely the seed of evolution.
I stared down at the magic circle with an indifferent expression.

“A teleportation circle with an unknown destination…”
[It would be entertaining if you materialized in the middle of the monsters.]
“Easy for you to say when you’re just watching.”

But I must also be prepared for the situation Kakasha described.
I checked my equipment and stepped onto the magic circle.

Whoooosh!

The magic circle activated, and my vision swirled violently.
When my sight finally steadied.
I found myself standing alone in the Forest.

‘Wait, this isn’t the Forest. This is….’

Looking more carefully, I realized I was inside a building.
The interior was so overgrown with vegetation, vines, and roots that I’d mistaken it for a forest at first glance.
At that same moment, I sensed a presence.
A presence brimming with malice.

“Words have power, don’t they? Kakasha, be more careful with what you say from now on.”
[Kufufu….]

Kakasha laughed as if amused by the situation.
Monsters emerged from beyond the dense undergrowth.
A chaotic mix of beast-type monsters and living plant-type monsters surrounded me from all sides.

‘Well, this is what I expected anyway.’

I kicked off the ground with force.
Crimson flames erupted in my wake as I surged forward, slashing and tearing through the monsters blocking my path.
The arrow that had been guiding my way vanished.
I had no way of knowing which direction to go.

– Screeeech!
– Grraaahhh…!

But I had the Predator’s Senses.
I expanded my awareness, sensing the presence of every monster within the building. Among them, I could distinctly feel the aura of one particularly powerful creature.

‘It’s an eternal truth that wherever there’s a strong monster, there’s usually something of value.’
[I concur!]

Whoooosh!

– Kek, heeack…!
– Kahaaaaack!

The monsters’ screams filled the building.
A confined space packed with countless monsters—the building had become a cramped arena.
For Han Yu-sung, it was nothing short of the perfect battlefield.
I advanced without hesitation, cutting through their ranks until I sensed a powerful presence ahead.

Craaaash!

My fist shattered the massive door, its surface overgrown with twisted branches.
Beyond it lay an expansive chamber—a verdant sanctuary filled with lush vegetation and three towering trees, their canopies reaching toward the vaulted ceiling.
At the center of this botanical realm, something hovered in mid-air.

“There it is. I’ve found it after all.”

It was a seed, no larger than a quail’s egg, radiating a teal luminescence.

[Found it easier than expected. I’ll just take it….]

[A formidable adversary approaches.]
[The Godslayer buff activates: ‘Giant Killer’ engaged.]
[All stats +10, sword damage +25%, speed +10%.]

The notification from Godslayer materialized before me.
Its meaning was unmistakable—an enemy lurked nearby.
Yet around me stood only trees.
Which meant only one thing.

Kuuuurrrrr!

[…I wish it weren’t the case, but it seems inevitable.]
“Predictable as always.”

The colossal trees surrounding me stirred, their roots wrenching from the earth as they rose to their full height.
Grotesque eyes materialized across their trunks, gleaming with malevolent intent.
Elder Trees. Guardians stationed here to protect this sanctuary, no doubt.

– Kuooooooo!

As the Elder Trees roared, the ground trembled beneath me.
Moments later, the vegetation that had filled the surroundings transformed into small trees, then rose as monsters that appeared to be miniature versions of the Elder Trees themselves.
Countless monsters fixed their gaze upon me, their malice laid bare.

‘They wouldn’t make this easy, of course.’

Indeed, befitting a Hidden Dungeon, the difficulty was remarkably high.
I suspected that only well-organized parties of players who had substantially cultivated their Dragon Souls could barely manage to conquer it.
I drew the Moonlight Blade.

“No, wait. There’s no one watching here anyway.”
[Sworn One, at last you wield this one’s blade!]

I changed my mind and drew the Flames of War instead.
Conveniently, the wooden bodies of the trees staring at me with crimson eyes were reinforced with ‘barriers’ constructed from branches.

“Kakasha, ignite.”
[Krrrrgh, using this one as kindling…!]

The karmic flame that incinerated the blade itself.
I grinned savagely and swung the sword in a wide arc toward the Elder Trees.

Whoooosh!

The blade cleaved through the air, unleashing the Flames of War that consumed all in their path.
The inferno devoured the dense foliage that filled the chamber, the monsters that had revealed their hostility, and even the Elder Trees that lay beyond them.
The monsters shrieked in agony.

“Let’s finish this quickly.”

I kicked off the ground.
Into the raging inferno that enveloped my surroundings, without a moment’s hesitation.

* * *

The scorching flames incinerate the space itself.
Countless Elder Trees groaned under the agony of their burning bodies, then collapsed, split cleanly in two.

Boom!

That was the last of them.
With the Elder Tree that had fallen moments ago, every monster in this space had been defeated.

[Your level has increased by 5 stages.]
[Strength +5, Agility +5, Stamina +5.]
[Through the effect of God’s Descent, Strength increases by +3 and Agility by +2!]
[As an additional reward, Magic Power increases by +3 and Fighting Spirit by +10!]
[Predation has been used. Predation Stack: 6/15.]

Han Yu-sung brushed the lingering flames from his blade and dismissed the messages.
Lost in the intensity of battle, I’d ended up setting the entire laboratory ablaze.
But the fortunate thing was….

“The seed remains intact.”
[Hmm, somehow that wounds my pride.]

The Seed of Evolution was unharmed.
Looking closer, a transparent box-like structure enveloped the seed.

[You have cleared the Hidden Dungeon, ‘Forgotten Laboratory’.]
[As a reward, you have obtained 【Seed of Evolution】!]

[Seed of Evolution]
· A seed imbued with the power of evolution. When used on a contracted dragon soul, it grants the special skill 【Nature of Evolution】.
* Nature of Evolution: When a dragon soul’s level reaches its maximum, the dragon soul’s rank grows by one stage. It can grow up to S-rank at maximum.
Each evolution grants additional ‘growth points’.

Han Yu-sung’s eyes widened as he retrieved the seed from the box and confirmed the item’s effects.
I’d anticipated something along these lines, but to think it would actually have such an effect.

[So if we use that seed on this little one, we can keep evolving it, right? All the way to S-rank?]
“Exactly. Hmm, though I didn’t expect growth points to be added as well.”

Dragon souls possessed something called ‘growth points’.
Whenever a level increased, a skill was learned, or the dragon soul was strengthened in any way, its growth points would rise accordingly.
These growth points were used as objectives for various quests, rewards, and ultimately in evaluating the dragon soul, but since there was no way to know exactly how much they’d increase, it was a tricky aspect to manage.

‘There’s a limit to the growth potential I can extract by cultivating an S-rank Dragon Soul. But an F-rank Dragon Soul? That’s a different story.’

Evolution grants growth potential as well.
And then there’s the growth potential gained by leveling up from level one.
It was entirely possible to obtain growth potential that surpassed even an S-rank Dragon Soul.

“This is going to be interesting.”

My interest in this trial was steadily growing.
So, what I need to do now is remarkably simple.
Han Yu-sung locked eyes with the Immature Hatchling, which was staring blankly at me.

“You’ve found a good master. Don’t forget that—remember it well.”
– Kyuuuk…?

Actually, I couldn’t even tell if it was staring blankly or not.
I couldn’t even determine whether its eyes were open in the first place.
Still, once I grant it this seed, things will change.
Han Yu-sung bestowed the Evolution Seed upon the Hatchling.

[You have granted the Evolution Seed to the Immature Hatchling (F). The Dragon Soul has acquired the 【Nature of Evolution (S)】 skill.]
[The Immature Hatchling has reached the maximum level of its current rank.]
[The Nature of Evolution takes effect….]

Thanks to that, I immediately experienced the effect of the Hidden Piece.
The effect granted by the Hidden Piece known as the Evolution Seed.

[The Immature Hatchling (F) has evolved into an E-rank Dragon Soul!]
[Stats have been enhanced and new skills have been added!]

Evolution.
What’s remarkable is that the evolution hasn’t ended yet.

[The Dragon Soul uses experience accumulated through 【Growth Hunger】.]

A skill that accumulates experience once a level cap is reached—【Growth Hunger】.
The Hatchling reached maximum level again.
It evolved once more, reached maximum level again, and—

[The Immature Hatchling (D) has evolved into a C-rank Dragon Soul!]
[Your stats have been enhanced and new skills have been added!]

In the blink of an eye, it had reached C-rank.
Even Han Yu-sung, who had been watching, and Kakasha were taken aback by the growth.

[S-Sworn One… isn’t this too fast, even by any standard?]
“…I was just thinking the same thing.”
[U-uh, well. With triple experience gain and considering the level of monsters here, it’s not entirely strange, but… still, this is…]

It was far too fast.
Han Yu-sung gazed at the membrane enveloping the hatchling.
The moment evolution began, a white membrane materialized around the hatchling—an effect that felt like witnessing a reptile’s metamorphosis.
Soon, the membrane began to tremble precariously.
Something within seemed to be struggling to break free from its cocoon.

Screeeech!

The membrane, unable to withstand the force from within, tore open.
And from it burst forth a hatchling in its new form.
No trace remained of the immature hatchling that couldn’t even open its eyes.
Pristine wings, crimson carapace like blood, eyes like rubies set into its skull.
Yet its body remained small, still that of a young hatchling.

[Red Hatchling (C)]
· Level: 30/45.
· Strength: C · Agility: C · Endurance: C · Mana: C.
· Growth Points: 4500.
· Skills Possessed.
(1) Destiny (?): Born in immaturity, a destiny once meaningless now reveals itself. Upon reaching S-rank, destiny shall be fully unveiled.
(2) Growth Hunger (S): Experience gain for this Dragon Soul +300%, and the amount of growth points obtained from this Dragon Soul increases.
(3) Nature of Evolution (S).
(4) Dragon Soul’s Blessing (C): All contractor stats +20, Strength +10%.
(5) Crimson Dragon’s Wrath (C): Contractor attack power 1.5x, all stats +10%, attack speed +10%, occasionally ‘overwhelms’ enemies.
(6) Ancient Knowledge (C): Contractor magic damage +15%, casting speed –15%, mana consumption –15%, area expansion +15%.

The more I examined the hatchling’s skills, the more bewildered I became.
The skills were far better than I had anticipated.

‘Triple experience gain, increased growth points acquisition? Add in that the Wrath of the Red Dragon and Ancient Knowledge. This is… a skill set befitting an S-rank Dragon Soul.’

If all C-rank Dragon Souls were like this, the Destroyer Faction would have never tasted victory in my past life.
Though the effects were still weak at C-rank, I couldn’t even fathom how formidable it would become upon promotion.

“Wait, this creature’s color….”
– Kyuruuk?

Han Yu-sung stared intently at the hatchling’s coloration.
The hatchling tilted its head as if it didn’t understand what I was saying.
Apparently finding that quite endearing, Kakasha let out a shriek.

[How adorable! Contractor, I have taken a liking to this creature! Oh, how I wish I had such a hatchling at home!]
“Be quiet, Kakasha. Isn’t something strange about this one?”
[Strange in how utterly cute it is!]

There’s no reasoning with him.
Han Yu-sung exhaled deeply. Did I really need to contract with Kakasha?
Perhaps sensing my thoughts, Kakasha came to his senses.

[Ahem, cough cough! I jest, of course. Well, the fact that it bears the ‘red’ coloration—uncommon even among dragons—does give me pause.]
“That’s precisely what I wanted to ask about. Red coloration….”

Having endured countless experiences in my past life, I possessed considerable knowledge of the dragon race.
Dragons bore different characteristics depending on their body color, and certain hues were extraordinarily rare, carrying special ‘destinies’ of their own.

[Mm, yes. Dragons bearing golden and red coloration possess formidable power. They are equally rare specimens. Considering the weak reproductive capacity inherent to dragons, one might appear only once every few thousand years.]

Gold Dragons and Red Dragons.
Even in my past life, I had rarely encountered such colorations.

[I cannot say with certainty. Typically, from among the golden and red varieties, only a single individual emerges destined to become a ‘Lord’.]
“You mean a Dragon Lord.”
[Indeed. Such individuals live as if destiny itself has chosen them, their entire existence devoted to becoming a Dragon Lord. Well….]

Kakasha chuckled softly at that point.

[What meaning could such a thing hold in a world like this?]

The Dragon’s Tomb had fallen into ruin, and every dragon of that ancient race had long since gone extinct.
All that remained were their lingering spirits—dragon souls.
Han Yu-sung met the gaze of the Immature Hatchling staring intently at him.

“That sounds rather entertaining.”
– Kyuuuk?

A smile played at the corners of Han Yu-sung’s lips.
I couldn’t know precisely what this noble destiny entailed.
But if it truly was the fate to become a Dragon Lord, as Kakasha had said.
If this Immature Hatchling was originally destined for such a path.

“Let’s see how this ends. I’ve never been able to resist my curiosity.”

The Dragon’s Altar would evaluate the dragon souls offered to it.
The dragon soul chosen at the end would become the sole “survivor,” or so I’d been told.
What would happen if the Immature Hatchling—destined to become a Dragon Lord—became that sole survivor?
I found myself desperate to witness that future firsthand.

“I need to revise my strategy. Leveling up becomes the absolute priority.”

And while I’m at it, I’ll acquire the skills necessary for the dragon soul.
My direction was set. Han Yu-sung began to move forward.
With the singular goal of making this Immature Hatchling bound to me the ultimate victor.

* * *

“At last….”

A dungeon concealed within the Dragon’s Tomb.
A band of Guardians was in the process of conquering it.
And finally, the dungeon’s boss monster had fallen.

“Obtained. I never expected it would be this troublesome.”
[A Noble Golden Dragon (S) has revealed itself!]

The dragon soul they had been seeking appeared before them.
A golden dragon whose form was vast enough to fill the entire dungeon.
Galleon, the leader commanding the band of Guardians, admired its magnificent presence.

“Congratulations, Galleon!”
“An S-rank Dragon Soul—all that effort was worth it.”
“Indeed. More than anything, this Dragon Soul suits me perfectly.”

Galleon stood before the golden dragon, his blonde hair cascading in the wind.
An S-rank Dragon Soul.
The acquisition had been grueling, but possessing the highest-grade Dragon Soul would prove invaluable in navigating the trials ahead.
And it would make him the victor of this ordeal.

[You have selected a Dragon Soul.]
[The Noble Golden Dragon (S) has become your Dragon Soul.]

Galleon completed his contract with the golden dragon.
The status window that materialized before him was so resplendent and brimming with formidable abilities that it made all his suffering fade into insignificance.

“With this, our entire party has now completed their Dragon Soul contracts.”
“Yes, Galleon. And in just a moment….”
“Three hours will have passed.”

The time the message had warned them about.
Galleon and his group waited within the Dungeon for that moment to arrive.
They didn’t have to wait long.

[Three hours have elapsed.]

Soon after, a message appeared before everyone’s eyes.

[Current survivors: 591,556. Among them, 60,390 Guardians have failed to achieve their objective, and 49,198 Destroyers have failed to achieve theirs.]
[As we warned beforehand….]

The objective given to them.
Guardians had to locate a Dragon Soul within three hours, while Destroyers had to either destroy a Dragon Soul or kill a Guardian within three hours.
And those who failed to accomplish their goals.

[Will perish.]

The Warrior Guardians beside Galleon swallowed hard.
One hundred and ten thousand players had perished.
They couldn’t see it from within the Dungeon, but if they were to exit….
Countless corpses would be waiting for them.

[Warrior Guardians who have completed their contract with a Dragon Soul must cultivate that Dragon Soul at the cost of their lives.]
[The standard by which this cultivation is judged is ‘Growth Points’.]
[From this moment forward, you must achieve a minimum of 6,000 Growth Points within six hours. Any Warrior Guardian who fails to do so will perish.]
[During this task alone, Quests that reward ‘Growth Points’ will be generated.]
[The Warrior Guardian who achieves the highest Growth Points by the promised deadline will receive a special reward.]

Another trial had emerged.
A trial where failure to achieve 6,000 or more Growth Points meant death.
Upon seeing that figure, the Warrior Guardians let out involuntary groans.

[I shall now announce the Warrior Guardian who has achieved the highest Growth Points.]

But that respite was brief.
Upon seeing the message that followed, all the Warrior Guardians were struck with astonishment.
Even Galleon, who had obtained an S-rank Dragon Soul, was no exception.
It could not have been otherwise.

[Warrior Guardian, Han Yu-sung.]
[Growth Points: 15,060.]
[You are the Warrior Guardian who has achieved the highest Growth Points.]

It was a figure that simply defied belief.

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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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