The Crazy Battle God Has Returned - Chapter 95

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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 95

The first victor of the Grand Tournament had been crowned.
The champion was Team Middle. Han Yu-sung returned to the bench after concluding his match, and his teammates welcomed him—all wearing dazed expressions.
Their demeanor had grown remarkably deferential.

“Oh, welcome back.”
“You, you must be exhausted. Truly….”
“Here, would you like some water?”

Their attitudes had shifted subtly toward reverence.
Han Yu-sung accepted the water and took a seat on the bench, drinking deeply.
The players stared at him in stunned silence.

‘Did I really see that?’
‘We sent him first because he seemed so immovable in his convictions—a gamble, really—but he solo-wiped the entire match….’
‘I never imagined Maezato Oju would fall like that.’

Countless thoughts swirled through the players’ minds.
They had sent him first precisely because of his unyielding attitude; ideally, they would have saved him for last.
They had feared that if Han Yu-sung lost to Maezato Oju, the remaining matches would be hopeless.
Yet their concerns proved unfounded, while the man himself displayed no particular change in expression.

“I mean, he’s so composed that I don’t know what to do.”
“…We should congratulate him, right?”
“We already did. He didn’t seem particularly pleased.”

Han Yu-sung’s composure was absolute.
As though he had simply fulfilled his duty and returned.
It left a profound impression on the players.
The same was true for Yoon Ga-ram, who had been watching him.

‘The gap has widened further. Next time, I must….’

Yoon Ga-ram bit her lip, her resolve burning fierce.
And at that very moment.

[Unfortunately, Team Light has been defeated.]
[Japan secures the first victory!]
[The current score is 1:1.]

News of Team Light’s defeat spread quickly.
It was as expected. Korea’s rookie players had long been criticized as lacking compared to Japan’s professionally developed training system.
But there was still hope.

“Team Heavy. Please, please….”
“Just like last time, just this once! Do something, anything!”
“If we won this time, Team Heavy won’t lose too, right?”

Team Heavy still remained.
Korea had never achieved good results in the National Inter-Country Tournament. But they had never suffered a one-sided defeat without securing even a single victory either.
It was because Team Heavy, with Lee Su-ho, had always secured one victory.
That was why Team Middle’s single victory this time was so crucial.

‘If Team Heavy just secures one victory as usual.’
‘Then, perhaps….’

There might be hope!
The players from Team Middle watched the broadcast with desperate faces.
Han Yu-sung, meanwhile, continued to observe with an indifferent expression.
He already knew the outcome.

[What was it like in my past life?]
‘The same. Korea one victory, Japan two victories. The only one who won was….’

The broadcast showed the battle scene between the players.
A Japanese player, and Lee Su-ho facing him.
Brilliant light erupted from Lee Su-ho’s body.
As if answering that call, the sky split open, and judgment’s radiance poured down through the fissure.
The player caught in the attack from heaven froze in place.
In the very next moment.

‘It was Lee Su-ho.’

A blade infused with light traced a brilliant arc across the space, cleaving through the Japanese player’s entire body before he could mount any resistance.
The light seared within the wound, consuming the enemy in its radiance.
That was the end.

[Congratulations! Team Heavy has achieved victory in the final match!]
[Korea secures its second victory!]

Messages materialized before my eyes.
And what they signified was.

[Current Score: 2:1!]
[Korea has emerged victorious in the National Inter-Country Tournament against Japan!]
[Congratulations on your victory! Upon the conclusion of the trial, rewards will be distributed!]

Korea had won the National Inter-Country Tournament.
I gazed to my right, toward the arena where Team Heavy had competed.
By now, Lee Su-ho should be emerging from the battlefield.
He was likely already envisioning himself as a hero from this performance.
And yet.

‘He’ll realize soon enough that such dreams are hollow.’

Lee Su-ho is an established powerhouse.
A player who had already proven himself, whose name was known to the masses.
In other words, he lacks novelty.
I, on the other hand, am a newcomer who appeared without warning.
People invariably become captivated by fresh talent.

[But tell me—did you enjoy drawing such attention to yourself?]
‘No. I don’t particularly enjoy needless scrutiny. However.’

If it interferes with Lee Su-ho, then I can savor it.
I have no desire to witness that traitor to humanity—the one who sold Earth to become a lord—being lauded as a hero again.

‘This should prove entertaining.’

I rose to my feet, contemplating the events that would unfold ahead.
The trial had concluded; it was time to return.
To Earth, where a triumphal procession and rewards awaited.

* * *

The battle was over.
Lee Su-ho wiped away the remnants of combat from his body, his mind already turning toward what lay ahead.
As expected, Team Heavy had claimed victory in the main event.
Team Light would fall to defeat.
That much aligned with his predictions.
But there was a problem.

‘Team Middle. Han Yu-sung.’

A variable had emerged.
Lee Su-ho recalled Han Yu-sung as he’d appeared at the Alliance.
The way he’d subtly pressured Lee Su-ho regarding Jung Ye-hun.
That unpleasant demeanor Han Yu-sung had displayed continued to gnaw at him.
That infuriatingly composed attitude, even standing before Lee Su-ho.

‘If Team Middle were to win this trial….’

Lee Su-ho shook his head, dismissing the thought.
His opponent was Maezato Oju, called Japan’s Kirin. Before the National Inter-Country Tournament began, there was also a message sent by the Lord of Justice.

‘She said she would test them.’

He couldn’t know who the test was meant for.
Was it Han Yu-sung, or was it Oju?
If it were the former, the Lord of Justice would pour overwhelming power into Oju’s hands.
Though Oju belonged to a rival faction, his strength was undeniable.
With her backing, he would have more than enough to defeat Han Yu-sung.

‘What matters to me is how I move after that.’

How to exploit this unprecedented situation of a nation’s rank falling.
The first step was to pressure the Player Alliance.
Team Light had never won in any National Inter-Country Tournament.
He would attack the Alliance under the guise of nurturing new talent.

‘I’ll use this opportunity to seize the power from that thorn in my side—the Alliance Master.’

Attack the Alliance and undermine Jain’s authority.
If I leverage the fact that Lee Su-ho has always emerged victorious in the National Inter-Country Tournament and led his team to victory, it will certainly be feasible.
Then I’ll create an opening in the Alliance for “Justice” to infiltrate.

‘I’ll gradually seize control of the Alliance and make it mine.’

In modern society, the Player Alliance occupies a somewhat ambiguous position.
For players, their contracted lord takes first priority. Even if the Alliance issues a command, if the lord refuses, it holds no power whatsoever.
That said, the Alliance is not a worthless organization.
The Alliance possesses vast information networks, influence second only to lords, and extensive connections. This was precisely why Lee Su-ho coveted it.

‘If I can seize it, it will become a tremendous source of power for me.’

Whether to become an Apostle.
Or to advance beyond that path, which remains mere fantasy for now.
Lee Su-ho moved forward, contemplating the tasks that lay ahead.

“You’ve worked hard, Lee Su-ho.”
“You’ve accomplished something remarkable this time. Congratulations.”

Players he was acquainted with welcomed Lee Su-ho.
It was a familiar occurrence. The predictable sequence that followed was watching other teams compete in their decisive matches and helplessly witnessing their defeats.
The only difference this time was that the national ranking would drop.
So naturally, everyone would be more desperate in their matches than usual.

‘What’s this?’

Lee Su-ho sensed something amiss.
The players from Team Heavy were congratulating him, yet their attention seemed focused elsewhere, not on him.
More than anything, he detected no sense of desperation whatsoever.
Rather, they seemed dumbfounded.

“…What about the other teams’ matches? Are they still ongoing?”
“No, the results have come in. Look over there—see for yourself.”
“The results are already in?”

Far too quickly.
Did they lose to Japan without putting up a fight?
As if answering his question, a message materialized before Lee Su-ho’s eyes.

[Current Score 2:1!]
[Korea has achieved victory in the National Inter-Country Tournament against Japan!]

“…Korea won?”

Lee Su-ho’s eyes widened dramatically.
Shock flickered across those typically emotionless irises.
Korea had won—but how was that even possible?
A name suddenly flashed through his mind.

“Han Yu-sung.”
“Yes? Yes, that’s correct. Han Yu-sung from Team Middle….”

There was only one variable that mattered.
That Maezato Oju had fallen to Han Yu-sung.
And not just any Maezato Oju—one who had received substantial backing from the Lord of Justice.
Only now did Lee Su-ho grasp the full implications.

‘If this is how things stand, my plan….’

The strategy I had so carefully devised was crumbling.
And I needed to find a way to salvage it immediately.
Just then, Han Yu-sung’s face appeared on the broadcast screen.

Crunch!

The grinding of teeth echoed through the bench filled with cheers.

* * *

God’s Trial, the National Inter-Country Tournament, had concluded.
The victorious Players returned to a triumphant procession witnessed by the entire nation, and that evening they celebrated at a grand banquet held in the Alliance’s Banquet Hall.
Han Yu-sung observed the festivities from a quiet Terrace.

[Why do you not join the celebration? Alcohol! Meat! When one triumphs in war, it is only fitting to indulge in luxurious fare!]
“It’s not my preference. Too noisy.”

Such celebratory gatherings were never Han Yu-sung’s preference.
He had no particular desire to attend. Yet when he saw the enormous crowd waiting outside the Alliance, he found his resolve wavering.
He lacked the confidence to push through that throng and return to the Safe House.
Above all, there was something he “had to receive.”

[Kufufu! So many admire my sworn one! How delightful!]
“Even if it’s the Lord?”
[What! That won’t do!]

Listening to Kakasha’s frantic voice, I let out a quiet chuckle.
Still, once dawn arrived, things would settle down. I could leave then.
I took a sip of water from the glass in my hand.

“Don’t you like alcohol? I went to the trouble of preparing premium champagne.”
“…”

Someone called out to me from behind.
Since I had sensed their presence, there was nothing surprising about it.
It was Jain, the Alliance Leader.
She took her place beside me.

“I’m not particularly fond of it.”
“How exemplary. I apologize, but I absolutely love alcohol.”

A champagne bottle was held in Jain’s hand.
She laughed with a giggle and gulped down the champagne. In that action, I sensed something difficult to describe—an air that contradicted her outward appearance.
I regarded Jain with a cold, expressionless gaze.

“If you’re going to get drunk, wouldn’t it be better to find someone else?”
“How harsh. Do you know how many people are looking for you? I’ve been dealing with them on your behalf, after all.”
“Wasn’t it you who grabbed me, saying you had something to give?”
“Hmm, that’s true.”

Jain had seized me, insisting she had a reward to give.
Not the coin she had originally promised, but something truly special.
At first, I had tried to leave, thinking I could receive it anytime later.
But seeing the crowd outside, I changed my mind.

“I wouldn’t have held you back just for the coins promised as compensation.”
“Then what do you intend to do? Are you planning to leave?”
“If similar situations arise in the future, there won’t be any reason for me to stay.”
“That’s a frightening prospect.”

Jain chuckled again.
She seemed to be in quite a good mood. Having escaped the threat of demotion by winning the National Inter-Country Tournament, she must have felt as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
And perhaps, there was also something related to Lee Su-ho.

“Let’s end the small talk here. I held you back to provide you with compensation. First, I should give you the coins provided by the Alliance.”

When Jain opened her palm, a message appeared.

[‘Jain’ is attempting to transfer 150,000 Coins to you.]
[Do you accept?]

Han Yu-sung accepted, and the coins arrived along with Kakasha’s cheers.
However, this was merely the promised compensation. It fell short of what Jain had called the “special reward.”
Perhaps noticing Han Yu-sung’s thoughts, Jain smiled slyly.
Then she retrieved something from her subspace.

“This is the special reward I mentioned to you. Take it with you.”

It was an enormous key.
A key so large that even a typical adult would need both hands to grip it.
Upon confirming the key’s description, Han Yu-sung’s eyes widened.
It was only natural.

[Key of Trials (Legendary)]
· A key used to open the Hall of Trials in the Difficult Realm. Overcoming that Difficult Realm grants exceptional rewards.
· However, it can only be used from Silver grade and above.
· Remaining uses: 1.

It was an item capable of opening a Difficult Realm.

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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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