The Crazy Battle God Has Returned - Chapter 66

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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 66

The uppermost floor of the Korean Player Alliance.
A lengthy conversation unfolded in the chamber reserved for the Alliance Leader.
More precisely, it would be more accurate to call it an explanation rather than a conversation.

“…That is everything I witnessed.”

Lee Sung-ah, who had participated in God’s Trial at Dragon’s Tomb as a Destroyer, recounted everything she had observed during the final battle.
What skill the man named Han Yu-sung had used, how he fought, what his personality seemed like, what he looked like—all of it.

“Hmm….”

After hearing the entire account, Jain sank deeply into her chair.
With her eyes closed, she exhaled a heavy sigh.

“So most of what appeared in the articles is true?”
“While some details are exaggerated or fabricated, the broad strokes are largely accurate. That man single-handedly led this trial. Especially in the final battle—the sight I witnessed then….”

Lee Sung-ah’s eyes trembled as she spoke.
The scene from that moment surfaced in her mind once more.
The monstrous figure methodically slaughtering newly registered Destroyer rankers like livestock.
No Destroyer had dared stand against him.

“It’s difficult to believe even hearing it with my own ears. Essentially, he used the other Guardians as mere decorations and resolved everything alone, wouldn’t you say?”
“…Yes. The situation was exacerbated because the highest-ranking Destroyers had already fallen. It’s merely my conjecture, but.”
“Do you think Han Yu-sung killed those top-ranked Destroyers as well?”

Lee Sung-ah nodded carefully.
Wei Hao, Suzuki Haruto, Inoue Seigo.
Names already reported in the articles as likely killed by Han Yu-sung.
Jain’s gaze turned to Park Yu-ha, who stood beside her.
Park Yu-ha spoke as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“Wei Hao. He belonged to the Black Flesh Gate of China. I recall he was a capable individual with considerable potential, so the state was providing support. The same applies to the Lord of Darkness who contracted with him.”
“The Black Flesh Gate, hm. This situation will become troublesome.”

Black Flesh Gate—a major Guild in China.
A place that leveraged player power to engage in various illegal activities. There was no predicting how such people would act.
Especially when China’s characteristic insularity was factored into the equation.

“What about the movements of other nations?”
“We’re monitoring them, but it appears they’re still gathering intelligence. They likely won’t make contact until after they’ve assessed this Han Yu-sung individual. Rash contact could leave a poor impression.”
“The problem is that some don’t care about such things.”

Both China’s Black Flesh Gate and Japan’s movements were concerning.
Both were nations genuinely committed to poaching players from other countries.
Through naturalization offers, or if necessary, through coercive means.
Jain closed her eyes and rapidly organized her thoughts.

“…Bring me any and all information related to Han Yu-sung without exception. And identify him as quickly as possible—attach Alliance forces to him. Black Flesh Gate’s movements are deeply concerning.”
“Understood, Alliance Leader. We may already be running late.”
“As for our hero…”

Jain’s eyes met those of Lee Sung-ah, who sat across from her.
Lee Sung-ah trembled, uncertain if she was being dismissed.
She quickly realized that wasn’t Jain’s intent at all.

“I’d like you to move alongside the Alliance forces. Since you’ve met him directly, you’ll recognize him on sight.”
“Y-yes? No, I… !”
“I’m asking as a favor. I’ll ensure you’re compensated. Park Yu-ha, show her.”
“Wait, no, hold on! I have trauma from—!”

Lee Sung-ah reacted with unexpected intensity to the sudden request.
As she protested behind him, Jain fell into contemplation.

‘Lee Sung-ah’s level was 95, if I recall correctly.’

The average level of those called rankers in this Trial had been 100.
A remarkably high standard. If someone could single-handedly dominate such a Trial, what level were they, and just how formidable were they?
A deep smile played at the corners of Jain’s lips.

“How intriguing.”

She found herself wanting to meet this person directly.

* * *

Kakasha regained consciousness the following day.

“Are you coming to your senses now?”
[Kuh, *ahem*. My apologies, Covenant Bearer. I displayed such shameful behavior….]

Kakasha apologized to me, his voice crawling with embarrassment at how he’d lost himself to the allure of coins.
A Lord apologizing was an extraordinarily rare sight.

“I understand. Take my 200,000 coins as well.”
[Then that makes 600,000. Kuhuhuh, I’ve become wealthy! *Slurp*, my saliva….]
“Save the drooling for later. Tell me what this ‘special choice’ is.”

The rewards Kakasha had received from the trial.
400,000 coins, Lord’s Blessing enhancement, and a special choice offered.
I examined the message window floating before my eyes.

[Blessing of War (Rare)]
· All stats +8.
· Attack power +8%, Skill Damage +8%.
· Flame attribute enhancement +8%, Flame resistance +8%.
· The heat of the scorched Battlefield will strengthen this blessing.

The enhanced Blessing of War was displayed before me.
Its grade had become Rare, and a new effect had been added.
It was similar to the effect attached to the Apostle skill ‘Prominence’.
In any case, that wasn’t what mattered right now.
What was important was understanding what this ‘special choice’ actually was.

[Hmm, I see three choices before me. Aha, this is… quite remarkable. Since you’re curious as well, I shall make them visible to you.]

Flames erupted into being.
Those flames inscribed letters directly before me.
These were the ‘special choices’ granted to Kakasha.

[1. Grant a special blessing.]
[2. Restore and strengthen the sacred relic, ‘Flames of War’, to a certain degree.]
[3. Restore one of the lost sacred relics.]

The choices were more intriguing than I’d anticipated.
Certainly, these qualified as special options.

“One involves grace, and the other two relate to sacred relics, it seems.”
[Hmm. Sworn one, which option appeals to you?]
“Well. Personally, what draws me is….”

Han Yu-sung paused briefly before selecting an option without hesitation.
And it was the same choice Kakasha had been considering.

“Option three. Restoring one of the lost sacred relics.”

Kakasha chuckled with evident delight.

[Grace shall increase as this one accumulates power. The Flame of War can also be restored through continued coin expenditure.]
“But the lost sacred relics cannot be recovered that way.”
[Indeed. The effort required remains uncertain.]

Restoring and strengthening what one already possesses.
Versus creating anew what has been lost.
There was no question which proved more arduous.
Kakasha had once held many sacred relics, yet lost them all.
Stolen, destroyed, or absorbed by others.

“There’s no room for deliberation.”
[Option three, option three it is!]

Kakasha selected option three.
The message wrought of flame dissipated.
Then faint embers kindled in the void, swiftly transforming into a raging inferno.
Something materialized within those flames.

[B-Rank Sacred Relic, ‘Banner of War’ has been restored.]

It was a banner.
Woven from blazing flames—an intensely scorching standard.

[Banner of War (Grade B Sacred Relic)]
· A sacred relic of Kakasha, the Lord of War. Once a flag that proved the Lord’s majesty, it has now grown considerably weakened.
· By planting this banner, one can declare ‘war’ across a designated territory.
· While war unfolds in this territory, a buff is granted to the faction that satisfies the sacred relic. This buff strengthens as the nature of the conflict intensifies.
· Additionally, a debuff is imposed upon the ‘opposing faction’.

A sacred relic designed to grant group buffs to one’s allies.
Quite useful. Except for one rather significant drawback.

“So it doesn’t unconditionally grant buffs to allies.”
[Hmph! Even if they are allies, why would I bestow blessings upon a dull war? Only then will they fight with true fervor!]
“Yeah, that’s just like you….”

The buff goes not to ‘allies,’ but to the ‘faction that satisfies the sacred relic’.
There’s risk involved, but considering its potential, it remained a worthwhile relic.

“What about the gauntlets?”
[It will require some time. But it shall be completed before thou enterest the Tower]
“That’s good enough.”

The gauntlets Wei Hao once wore—the Dark Flame Fists.
I intended to transfer the blessing dwelling within them to the Blood Soul Arena.
Since it would be finished before I entered the Tower, I could afford to wait.

“Hmm, then….”

I rose from my seat and glanced out the window.
Evening had fallen. Outside was dark, and few people moved about.
But I could sense it.

“Looks like the Alliance is a step behind.”
[Vermin have gathered, it seems.]

My Predator’s Instinct detected the presence of enemies.
A considerable number of players were approaching this location.
With clear intent, they were tightening their encirclement, targeting me with precision.
It’s surprising they moved faster than the Alliance.

“Well, I can just find out directly.”
[What will you do?]
“It’s obvious.”

Han Yu-sung switched off the lights in the room.
In the darkness, his eyes gleamed with an ominous light.

“Kill them all.”

Sometimes violence becomes the solution.
Or rather, in a world like this, perhaps it’s not “sometimes” but quite often.

* * *

Are Players virtuous beings?
Of course not. As they gain greater power, they fall prey to countless temptations, and among them are those who descend into crime without number.
Those who have committed crimes so heinous that even modern society—accustomed to Player criminality—cannot accept them, or those who have nowhere to stand in the light for whatever reason, eventually hide in the shadows.

The problem is that finding such criminals proves far more difficult than expected.
The reason is deceptively simple: Lords who encourage crime, or those Lords who deem them useful, provide considerable assistance.
Thus, in each nation, the underworld where criminal Players dwell—what is called the “Under World”—thrives in many places.
Naturally, Korea too was riddled with such shadowy operations.

Underground organizations disguised as ordinary shops or buildings on the surface, accepting all manner of assassination contracts, kidnappings, and criminal requests.
Those targeting Han Yu-sung now belonged to such an organization.

“…Is it that building?”
“Hmph, surprisingly sloppy for a Player.”

Masked Players gazed upon a building.
They were Players belonging to the criminal organization known as the Hunting Dogs.
Men who would do anything for money, regardless of who ordered it. Criminals who gladly accepted contracts from foreign nations if the price was right.
That was what the Hunting Dogs were.

“This should make the job easier. How many personnel?”
“One hundred. All are standing by at their assigned positions.”
“Good. We finish before the Alliance arrives.”

Lee Chul-woo, who commanded the operation on-site, began to move.
He and the Hunting Dogs following him moved without sound or trace.

“What about the poison from Wang Liu-ye?”
“We’ve dispersed it throughout the building. According to that woman, it’s potent and has a wide range. By now, it should be fully spread.”
“If it’s poison made by the Black Flesh Gate, it’s trustworthy. Everyone, secure your masks and take the antidote.”

There was nothing more embarrassing than falling victim to poison they themselves had released.
The Hunting Dogs infiltrated the dilapidated Studio Apartment building in an instant.
The interior was thick with violet smoke.
It was a deadly poison that paralyzed the body and caused a slow death.

“Remember this. You must not kill him. Our objective is to capture Han Yu-sung and hand him over to the Black Flesh Gate.”
“What about his limbs?”
“You can cut them off. They’ll handle the healing on their end.”

Even the Hunting Dogs didn’t know exactly what Han Yu-sung was.
His power was an unknown variable. Capturing him without a scratch would be impossible.
As long as they kept him alive and handed him over to the Black Flesh Gate, that would suffice.
Lee Chul-woo activated a skill, then stood before the firmly shut door.

“….”
“….”

A signal was transmitted to the other Hunting Dogs.
The adjacent rooms to Han Yu-sung’s Studio Apartment, outside the windows, and in front of the door.
At every position, the waiting Hunting Dogs gripped their weapons.
Lee Chul-woo surveyed the interior situation.

‘Quiet. Regular breathing sounds. If he’s asleep…’

This would make things easier.
Lee Chul-woo grasped the doorknob and pulled.
The doorknob shattered silently, and the door opened without a sound.
The narrow, oppressively dark interior of the Studio Apartment was revealed.
Literally not a single ray of light entering….

‘Not a single ray of light entering?’

Tonight, the moon shines with unusual brilliance.
Yet not a single ray of moonlight penetrated the room.
As if something were deliberately blocking the light from entering.
The moment Lee Chul-woo sensed the wrongness and moved to act—

“So you’ve finally come. I’ve been waiting quite some time.”
“Ugh, gah…!”

A sickening squelch.

Something sharper than any blade pierced through Lee Chul-woo’s chest.
Shadows erupted from all directions, impaling Lee Chul-woo and the Hunting Dogs who had entered alongside him without mercy.

“What… is… this poison…?”

Lee Chul-woo’s eyes widened in shock.
Standing within those shadows was the figure of Han Yu-sung.
Successive waves of sword energy severed the Hunting Dogs’ necks.

‘He already knew… all along…?’

That was Lee Chul-woo’s final thought.
He and the Hunting Dogs who had entered through the door collapsed simultaneously.
In that very instant, the windows and side walls crumbled inward.
The waiting Hunting Dogs had received the signal and breached the room.
What greeted them was the sight of the dead Lee Chul-woo and his subordinates.

“Br… brother!”
“What is this…!”

The Hunting Dogs gasped in disbelief at the unthinkable scene.
Their gazes turned toward the one who had orchestrated this carnage.

“I was planning to kill you all, but I suppose I should hear what you have to say first.”

Mana erupted outward from Han Yu-sung as its epicenter.
A formidable surge of mana so intense the Hunting Dogs’ skin prickled.
The rising shadows transformed into countless weapons, all aimed at the Hunting Dogs.

“I’ll spare just two of them.”

Shadow weapons materialized in the next instant.
Moments later, the anguished screams of the Hunting Dogs pierced the air.

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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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