Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Chapter 3-1. Black Tree Tribe
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Last time, his left arm had been severed, and this time it was his right. Blood dripped steadily from the cross-section of the wound, and Cain's body jerked as if he were breaking free from Yakal's influence. But the fierce glare from between the visor of his helmet hadn't changed.
Wooong!
The thirteenth fragment, Yakal, began to resonate wildly. Gripped in Cain's now-masterless right hand, it seemed to be calling out to him. Each time the sword let out a cry, Cain staggered, clutching his head as if suffering from a migraine. He looked like he was resisting the blade's call. Judah watched the scene blankly.
"......"
It was a clear chance to kill Cain, yet he didn't move. Still holding his bleeding arm, Judah simply stared at him. Red haze rose from Cain's stumbling form, like roaring flames.
"Urgh!"
The groan and the way he shook his head seemed like signs of his reason returning, but in the end, he couldn't overcome Yakal's trial. Cain let out a monstrous roar. Watching him, Judah felt a shock like being struck in the head with a blunt weapon. His eyes widened wide, taking in Cain's form. He couldn't see his expression under the helmet and armor, but the bizarre sight of his left hand awkwardly gripping the spear embedded in his left shoulder, grinding against it as he yanked it out—it was eerie.
"This isn't the you I had in mind, Cain."
The boy who had helped others without hesitation like a hero, who would charge in alone to save those in danger—none of that remained anywhere.
What a pity. Even hearing Judah's bitter mutter, Cain gave no response. No, with his reason devoured by Yakal, he couldn't respond even if he wanted to. Bad ending. That was the word that defined Cain's finale.
Part of him thought about helping him regain his senses somehow, but that was mere pity. His resolve to kill the bastard, from Selenia Castle onward, hadn't wavered. Watching Cain charge with a roar, gripping the spear awkwardly—perhaps because it was his left hand—Judah took his stance.
He thrust out Altemia to block the downward spear thrust head-on.
Clang!
Concerned that Altemia's sharpness might sever the spear, he deflected it with the flat of the blade. Yakal's power hadn't fully faded yet; the blow still carried considerable weight. Even though the sword struck its intended spot, his body swayed. Trusting in his armor, Cain pressed forward with his shoulder like a bull.
Seeing this, Judah twisted his body to the left. The hem of his coat fluttered like a bullfighter's red cape. The moment he saw Cain's back, Judah hurled Altemia. With a whoosh, the dagger flew straight into Cain's back, its blood-red blade erupting to pierce through his body. It looked like he was impaled on a massive spear, the scene playing out in slow motion.
Judah suppressed Altemia to prevent it from draining Cain's blood and life force, then pried the hand still clutching Yakal's hilt away and tossed it into the underbrush.
Sizzle!
A stinging sensation followed, and the mangled palm finally began regenerating rapidly. Yakal, which had been wailing ceaselessly to call Cain, fell silent as if aware its master was dying.
"Hmm."
The moment he gripped Yakal's hilt, a strange magical power flowed from the sword. The magic burrowed forcefully into his body through his fingertips, stirring disgust, while a red veil descended over his vision, dyeing it crimson.
The world seemed to turn red. Cain's impaled form right before him, along with Jeanne and Arhil nearby, twisted into horrific monsters. Just looking at them evoked revulsion. Judah frowned.
'An illusion?'
Yakal's doing. The moment he concluded that, the veil tore away. Their monstrous forms reverted to normal.
"Hoo..."
With a sigh, he looked down at the hefty greatsword. When Judah pushed back with his own magic, the blade trembled in panic and sent another surge of magic. But unlike before, the red veil flickered in and out without fully covering his sight. Leaving it to exhaust itself, Judah walked toward Cain.
Fortune or misfortune, Cain hadn't died yet. He was just coughing up blood, "Cough, hack." Seeing the blood trickling from inside the helmet, Judah didn't know what to say. He stabbed Yakal into the ground and reached out with his left hand to lift the helmet's upper half.
Sweat-matted blond hair, weary golden eyes, deep dark circles, blood trickling from his mouth.
It was Cain. It had to be. Dropping the helmet to the ground produced a hollow clang.
Judah gazed down at him coldly. The faint red glow in Cain's eyes focused on him. His mouth opened as if to speak, but only blood sprayed out with a "Cough—."
"Ju..."
After a long bout of coughing, as Cain's lips formed his name, Judah hesitated, then extended his left hand to silence him. He felt the warmth of blood and the softness of lips at his fingertips but didn't pull away. Judah apologized to Cain.
"Sorry, Cain. I don't want to hear whatever you have to say. ...To be precise, I don't have the courage to listen."
What would he say? Knowing these were his final moments, what words would he leave?
What meaning lay in those trembling eyes?
A curse?
Rage?
Or... a confession about everything that had happened?
Maybe he'd ask him to pass a message to Caseun.
He'd have words for his comrades too.
Judah was curious, but sadly lacked the courage to hear them. Understanding his intent, Cain let his head droop. With Judah's hand blocking his mouth, the blood he vomited backed up, making him cough violently. Well, with one arm severed and his body pierced...
Given the blood he'd lost so far, it wouldn't have been strange if he'd already died. Judah decided to ease Cain's suffering. He could grant this much mercy to the man in his final moments.
"I'll deliver your belongings to your grandfather. No idea when, though... or if he'd even deem me worthy to do so."
Creating a new Altemia in his right hand, Judah plunged it precisely into Cain's heart. Moments later, Cain's body went limp, showing no more response. Recalling Altemia, Judah caught the collapsing corpse as it had nothing left to support it.
Gently laying the body on the ground, Judah closed his eyes and looked down at the dead Cain. He'd killed him in the end. His heart felt far more numb than expected. He didn't think of them as cherished memories, but times spent with Cain surfaced.
'This is why I didn't want to get close.'
Regret mingled as he closed his eyes. The memories began with Cain vaulting through the window into Judah's home, boldly challenging him to a duel—wielding wooden swords, Leli watching—and getting scolded together by Caseun Sabnak... receiving guidance... watching him receive Gabriel's blessing at the temple... feeling self-loathing at Cain's heroism saving others during the Black Wolf subjugation... declaring he'd kill the pursuing Cain... and encountering him while searching for Jeanne and a worthy opponent after the coming-of-age ceremony.
"Ha, even the trivial stuff all comes flooding back."
Judah let out a hollow laugh. Reminded that he'd killed Cain with his own hands, he opened his eyes. Cain's final appearance was utterly haggard. Truly like a bad ending.
'I'll remember you sometimes.'
With a heavy heart, Judah spoke inwardly to the dead Cain, striving for nonchalance. Arhil and Jeanne approached the dazed Judah, watching silently.
Kwarung!
"Ah."
Then, a sound from not far off made him turn. Several trees crashed down simultaneously, kicking up massive clouds of dirt. Isabel and Quake—still fighting?
'...If I land the finishing blow on Quake, maybe I'll get some experience?'
Any swordsmanship proficiency at 10 (Master) and level 50 makes one a Spirit Sword wielder.
A privilege only players could claim, regardless of talent.
'Let's see, current level is 36—no, 37.'
Killing Cain had leveled him up. And there was a system message about stat bonuses. Not particularly eager to read it, but he checked anyway.
[You defeated the apostle "Cain Sabnak," chosen by the emissary. Though blessed by Gabriel, he failed to overcome Yakal's trial and could not wield the full power of [Gabriel's Sword]. Still, defeating a future enemy apostle is undeniable fact. Your lowest stat rises by 3, second-lowest by 3, and third-highest by 3.]
[Charisma, Knowledge, and Magic Resistance each increase by 3.]
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「Status Window」
[Name: Judah Arsher]
[Title: Little Hero of Selenia Castle (2)]
[Level: 38]
[Job: Black Claw _ Shadow Magic Swordsman (Hidden A)]
[Revival Count: 2]
[Strength: 50 (C) / Potential A]
[Stamina: 46 (C) / Potential S]
[Agility: 60 (B) / Potential SS]
[Magic Power: 44 (C) / Potential B]
[Magic Resistance: 57 (C) / Potential S]
[Charisma: 11 (F) / Potential A]
[Knowledge: 20 (D) / Potential B] ◀ Special
[Luck: 84 (A) / Potential S] ◀ Special
[Remaining Points: 2]
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I see. Skimming the system message and confirming the stat increases, Judah thought, 'That's a nice boost,' then checked his skill window. What he really wanted to verify wasn't the rewards from Cain, but the conditions for becoming a Spirit Sword wielder. He didn't care about the rest.
[Shadow Heresy Arts/Swordsmanship] - Rank: A / Proficiency: 7/10
...Swordsmanship at 7. Judah sighed. Picking up Cain's discarded helmet from the ground and stowing it in his <Bag>, he stood. Yanking Yakal from where he'd stabbed it into the dirt, a message appeared like those when acquiring fragments—now acknowledging him as master.
[Saving resurrection point based on current location and time.]
'Killing Quake should net at least 3 levels.'
Quake was a Spirit Sword wielder, after all. The experience would be enormous. Contribution affected the share, but with Isabel as a temporary ally now, Judah could claim it all.
"Alright, shall we go?"
* * *
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Tip 22. Being skilled with a sword doesn't make you a Spirit Sword wielder. The term applies to those who transcend limits with any weapon—spear, bow, sword, dagger, whatever. They surpass human bounds. How to become one?
Simple.
Do 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and 10km runs every day, while mastering proficiency in any swordsmanship, archery, spear arts—doesn't matter. Hit level 50, and anyone can be a Spirit Sword wielder. (lol)
Of course, assuming you're a player.
========== Author's Note ==========
1) Spent a whole day making one PPT. I really hate PPTs.
Especially when they have to be done on a tight deadline!
2) Ordered a power supply and swapped it out. From 500W to 600W.
First time in my life disassembling a computer, gutting it, and replacing cables.
The motherboard wouldn't boot at first—freaked out thinking I'd messed up, nearly hurt myself poking the fan.
3) Aww, thanks for the coupons!
Can't do daily updates this month due to exams, but I'll repay with a streak in November...
Sorry for the late reply, OverdueRent. Thanks again for the generous donation coupons!
Also big thanks to Gungjungbaek and Ryu Mi-yeon for the 10 each!