The Crazy Battle God Has Returned - Chapter 7

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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 7

Countless new players waited in line at the entrance of the Library of Knowledge.

“O-okay. I’ve memorized the layout well enough, so this time….”
“An A-rank item, or even a B-rank would do. I’ll take whatever I can get.”
“Let’s enter together. One, two….”

The players held their breath, bracing themselves for the labyrinth that would soon unfold before them.
Just as they were about to pay their entrance fee and step inside the Library.

Pababababam!

“W-what the—?!”
“What, what is this! What’s going on! What is that sound!”

Suddenly, a deafening fanfare erupted from the entrance.
All eyes turned toward it.
And then, a message appeared that made everyone doubt their own vision.

[Congratulations to you all!]
[Another person has obtained an S-rank Skill Book from this Library! Another! And another! Truly astounding—dammit! It happened again! Unbelievable!]
[For this reason, the Library will be closed for a period of time to recharge. We look forward to welcoming you again upon our reopening!]

Whoooosh!

At that very moment, the entrance to the Library sealed shut.
All the players inside were expelled. What remained were only those who could not accept this sudden turn of events.
Everyone stared at the message with stunned expressions.

“…What just happened?”
“I don’t know. I mean, another person obtained an S-rank Skill Book? But why would they close the Library doors?”
“Did they close it because the losses were too great…?”

The players blinked in disbelief.
But that bewilderment was short-lived.

“Damn it! That’s infuriating! I could’ve eaten it too!”
“An S-rank skill, S-rank….”
“I wonder what they consumed? I wish I could’ve at least seen their face.”

The players all sighed with envy.

* * *

Han Yu-sung left the Library of Knowledge and immediately departed the area.
He didn’t want to draw attention. The Oath-takers of Knowledge might attack, so he needed to leave quickly.
Fortunately, there were no pursuers.

“Hmm, the Scale of Discipline will appear soon enough. Until then….”

I needed to organize the rewards I’d obtained.
Han Yu-sung checked the message that appeared before his eyes first.

[You have successfully defeated the Head Librarian, administrator of the Library of Knowledge.]
[You have satisfied the activation condition for the unique ability ‘Divine Descent’.]
[Additional rewards are granted.]
[Strength +1, and additionally Willpower rises by +2!]

This was an unexpected reward.
I knew the Head Librarian was a named or boss monster.
But I hadn’t expected to actually defeat them.

“Despite their appearance, they turned out to be quite fragile.”

[Your level has risen by 4 stages.]
[Strength +4, Agility +4, Vitality +4.]
[Due to the effect of Divine Descent, Strength and Agility additionally rise by +2!]

And my level had increased.
When a player’s level rises, their stats increase as well.
Three points per level. Since I’m still a Novice, they rise evenly, but once I acquire a class, certain stats will increase more dramatically.
But Han Yu-sung was different.

[When your level rises, additional stat increases are granted.]

It was thanks to the effect of Divine Descent.
While other players gained increases to three stats upon leveling, I gained increases to four stats.
The gap would only widen as my level climbed higher.
Unlike my past life, I had obtained it from level one, so it would prove invaluable.

‘I’ll need to raise my stats through various other methods as well.’

With Divine Descent in my possession, I held a far more advantageous position than ordinary players, but that didn’t mean I could afford to grow complacent.

‘I’ll mobilize all the knowledge I possess to grow. As quickly as possible.’

To change the future that was destined for destruction.
With that resolve, I activated a Skill Book.

[Using Skill Book, ‘Wind and Cloud Movement Art (S)’.]
[Using Skill Book, ‘Physical Enhancement (A)’.]

The Skill Books obtained from the Library of Knowledge transformed into light and vanished.
Soon after, they seeped into me, imprinting new knowledge upon my mind.
Moments later, a message appeared before my eyes.

[You have acquired Wind and Cloud Movement Art and Physical Enhancement!]

[Wind and Cloud Movement Art (S, Lv.1)]
· Classification: Active.
· A movement technique founded by the Wind God So Un-bi, consisting of three fundamental forms.
· Effect: Agility +5, Speed +10%
* Cloud-Treading Step: Light as treading upon clouds themselves. Move without sound, concealing your presence to the utmost.
* Flowing Cloud Step: Movement as graceful as drifting clouds. Evade incoming attacks with the fluid motion of clouds passing through the sky.
* Howling Gale Step: Fierce as a savage wind. Assault your opponent with the relentless ferocity of a raging tempest.

A smile played at the corners of my mouth as I reviewed the skill.
A skill befitting S-rank quality. The most significant aspect was that it bore a ‘Level’.
Skills with levels grow stronger in power as they advance. The effects attached to such skills follow the same principle.

‘The Great Thief—that bastard was famous for being agile enough to be infuriating.’

I had made that speed my own.
I had obtained a footwork technique I could rely on for years to come.
The Great Thief, who should have been its master, would surely weep tears of blood.

[Body Enhancement (A)]
· Classification: Active.
· Envelops the body in mana to enhance attack and defense power.
· Attack and Defense Power +30%, Magic Resistance +25%.

Body Enhancement, an A-rank skill, proved quite useful as well.
Its only drawback was the enormous mana consumption.
I would need to deploy it wisely, without waste, at precisely the right moments.

“I’ve gained quite a lot from this ordeal. And….”

I sensed a peculiar aura.
Not human, not a Star Lord, but the presence of a divine entity.
That aura enveloped me, and simultaneously, a message appeared.

[The Scale of Discipline opens.]

My vision flooded with pure white.
When I opened my eyes again, I stood in a white expanse.
Nothing existed here—only a colossal scale.
And beyond the scale, I glimpsed a familiar pair of eyes.

“We meet again. Have you prepared the price, Lord of Knowledge?”

[The Lord of Knowledge radiates intense fury.]
[He warns you: Do not provoke me.]

It was the Lord of Knowledge.
His eyes trembled with rage and humiliation. He could neither believe nor accept this situation. For a lord to suffer such disgrace and shame at the hands of a mere human!
For a lord to endure such humiliation and indignity!

Screeeech—

At that very moment, a thunderous sound rang out.
It was the sound of the Scale tilting toward Han Yu-sung.
The moment a massive scale pan materialized before Han Yu-sung, a voice echoed from on high.

[The Lord of Knowledge has violated the Scale of Discipline. As compensation, the Lord must pay the price of this violation to the victim.]
[Speak your desired compensation. This may be substituted with goods.]
[You may demand compensation until the Scale achieves balance.]

It was a peculiar voice.
Childlike yet mature, masculine yet feminine all at once.
As if countless humans had been woven together into a single utterance.
But what mattered now was not that voice.

‘An opportunity to demand compensation from the Star Lords.’

This was it.
A Lord must pay a price whenever intervening in this world or its trials.
And if they intervened while violating the Scale of Discipline?
And if the victim of that intervention survived?

‘The victim of the intervention must receive compensation.’

The Lord of Knowledge had altered the Scale specifically to target Han Yu-sung.
The sole reason was to kill me.
In such circumstances, the Lord must pay compensation equivalent to my life’s value.
A life’s value is determined by multiple criteria.
The abilities one possesses, one’s potential future—such things.

“Hmm, I’m not certain what my life’s value amounts to exactly.”

Still, it would not be insignificant.
There was no need to deliberate. To discover my life’s value, I need only demand compensation and observe how the Scale responds.
I lifted my head.

[Han Yu-sung. Speak what you desire.]
“The compensation I demand is….”

I paused deliberately.
The Lord of Knowledge’s eyes flickered with visible anxiety.

‘What are they demanding? Coins? Or perhaps an item?’

Han Yu-sung’s combat style was hand-to-hand combat.
Considering that, I could demand an item related to martial arts.
Or perhaps a skill book? Or coins instead? What should I demand?
The Lord of Knowledge waited for Han Yu-sung to speak.
Soon enough, Han Yu-sung stated what he desired.

“I shall demand the ‘Quill of Oath’ as compensation.”

The Lord’s pupils dilated upon hearing that name.
What emanated from those eyes was shock.
It was inevitable.

[The Lord of Knowledge is astonished.]
[He asks how you could possibly know of the quill’s existence.]

The Quill of Oath was an item possessed by the Lord of Knowledge.
A quill imbued with special properties. Yet how could this man know that I possessed such an item?
And a Player who had only just awakened at that.
The Lord of Knowledge was astonished, but quickly regained his composure.

[The Lord of Knowledge sneers at you.]
[He says your life is hardly worth such a price.]

“We shall see.”

The Quill of Oath was an object of immense value.
Han Yu-sung was a man of talent. He possessed a unique innate ability as well.
His life held considerable worth. The Lord of Knowledge acknowledged that much.
But could his life truly be worth as much as the Quill of Oath?
The Lord of Knowledge believed it impossible.

“We’ll know soon enough whether it’s expensive or not.”

Han Yu-sung gestured toward the scale and shrugged his shoulders.
The scale, which had been heavily tipped in one direction, began to rise.

[The Quill of Covenant is an item of ‘Mythic’ grade.]
[The scale will measure the balance.]

If the scale tilts toward the Lord of Knowledge, it means the Quill of Covenant is worth more than Han Yu-sung’s life.
An excessive level of compensation.
If it achieves balance, it would mean an appropriate level of compensation.
And if.

[The Scale of Discipline has stopped.]

Truly, if.
The scale still tilts toward Han Yu-sung.
Even after placing the item called the Quill of Covenant on the scale’s pan, if it remains tilted toward Han Yu-sung.
If that were to happen, if it truly does.

[The ‘Quill of Covenant’ is adequate as compensation.]
[The scale’s balance has not yet been achieved. The victim may demand further compensation until the scale reaches equilibrium.]
[Speak what you desire.]

It meant Han Yu-sung’s life possessed an incomprehensible value.
Even after offering a Mythic-grade item as compensation, the scale still tilted toward Han Yu-sung.
It had risen considerably, yet still.

“It seems my life is worth far more than you imagined, my lord.”

Han Yu-sung gazed into the lord’s eyes and let out a soft chuckle.
Then crimson letters materialized before him.

[“What… utter nonsense… absolute bullshit…”]

The Lord of Knowledge could not accept this situation.
The words he uttered were like a kind of anguished cry.

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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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