Chapter 127
Chapter 127
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: Chapter 3-1. Black Tree Tribe
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"Are you really going there?"
"Yes, I have to."
"I think that's a poor judgment..."
"?"
Jeanne replied in a negative tone. Judah, who had been staring down at Cain's corpse as if reluctant to leave it behind, turned his head at her words. Sounds he hadn't even registered, like the whisper of the wind, reached him a beat late.
BOOM!
An explosion like a bomb detonating split the ground, toppled trees, and sent plumes of dirt soaring high.
KRAKAKAKA!
A tangible slash of mana, visible to the eye, tore through the forest like a shark's fin cutting the sea or a shark breaching the surface. The battle of the Spirit Sword owners was a natural disaster in itself. The devastation unfolding before his eyes was plain to see.
"Hmm... yeah, you're right."
Sure enough, charging into that scene without fear would be insane. There were plenty of rumors about people getting caught in duels between Spirit Sword owners and dying without knowing what hit them. With Jeanne's stamina and magic resistance, she could probably withstand a Spirit Sword owner's attack to some degree, but Arhil was the problem. She had trained her body a bit more than the average priestess, but by Judah and Jeanne's standards, it was nothing.
'Arhil might really drop dead screaming. Jeanne can't babysit her every second.'
They were different from him, who received ability score bonuses from the fragments. Even the equipment issued to Blue Spear Knights varied by rank. It wasn't poor quality, but an apprentice Blue Spear Knight's gear made entering a battlefield full of clashing Spirit Sword owners unappealing. Judah nodded readily and replied lightly.
"Alright then. Looks like I'll have to go alone."
"What do you mean by that? It's dangerous! Judah, I brought this up not just for my own safety. I'm worried about yours!"
"R-right! Even so, going in there to help is suicide!"
Jeanne was followed by Arhil, both trying to dissuade him. But what would change by staying here? With Cain's body nearby, idle thoughts would just keep swirling in his head. Better to dive into the Spirit Sword owners' battlefield, learn something, and land a finishing blow to clear his mind.
Hadn't he even saved after acquiring the thirteenth fragment, Yakal of Wrath?
'What's the worst that can happen? Die?'
If he died, he'd just resurrect and return to this moment. What was there to fear?
Thinking calmly, this was an opportunity. Not just to rush at the Spirit Sword owner Quake and steal a bit more experience with a final blow, but a chance to learn real combat lessons. Like in a game, when a new raid dropped, players would wipe repeatedly just to learn the patterns.
Dying was never pleasant, no matter how many times it happened, but opportunities like this didn't come often. To the protesting Jeanne and Arhil, Judah drew the freshly acquired Yakal and held it aloft. Perhaps not yet giving up, Yakal's mana surged intrusively up his arm, draping a red veil before his eyes. Thanks to his <Player> trait, the red veil vanished as quickly as it appeared.
'Come to think of it, getting Yakal means I can't learn its skills either.'
The sword hadn't accepted him. Time would sort it out eventually, but for now, he couldn't borrow this fragment's power. Judah checked Yakal's information.
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[Name: Thirteenth Fragment - Yakal]
[Rank: Legendary_Sword]
[Equipment: Greatsword]
[Attack Power: 135]
[Effects]
Strength +4, Vitality +3, Knowledge -5, Luck -5
Attack and movement speed +10%, Reflexes and dynamic vision +5%.
Vitality recovery speed and amount +50%
[Description]
This greatsword is the thirteenth fragment forged from Perlnirn's Heart. Made from minerals extracted from a meteorite fallen from the sky, it possesses an unprecedented ability to absorb mana. Originally pitch-black, it has absorbed the blood of countless magical beasts and humans, changing its hue. The authority granted by the heart fragment is "Wrath."
'Kill, kill! Kill them all!'
-Swordsmanship Acquisition (Passive) - Blind rage alone won't win. You need technique. (First-time skill acquisition)
└Thrust, Single Point (Active): Surge forward in an instant, concentrating all power at the blade tip to pierce.
└Follow-up, Ascension (Active): Usable after Thrust. If blocked or successful, slash upward, forcing the enemy aloft with immense power.
└Downward Slash, Falling Moon (Active): Bring down overhead. If it can't be blocked, crush into the ground.
└Follow-up, Bloodwind (Active): A slashing attack and ranged strike, firing crimson sword energy.
-Rage (Active): Absorb part of the fragment's power to temporarily enhance combat ability.
-Equivalent Exchange (Passive): Reduce Knowledge by 30% to increase Strength by 30%.
-More power... stronger power... (Passive): From battle start, Strength increases by 1 every set interval. Max +10; no effect above 100. When Vitality drops below 30%, gain temporary exhaustion immunity.
-High-Speed Regeneration (Passive): Enhanced physical recovery; minor wounds heal in seconds. Major injuries like lost limbs take time.
-Swordsmanship Correction (Passive): +15 Attack Power; doubles power of sword techniques.
-Magic Defense (Passive): Block spells below a certain level with the sword.
-Thirteenth of Perlnirn's Twenty-Four Hearts (Passive): The thirteenth heart's power is "Wrath."
-Inheritance (Passive): Collect all 24 weapons made from Perlnirn's Heart to inherit Demon King Perlnirn's power.
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Yakal...
A fine weapon.
Forged from meteorite-derived rare ore that absorbs mana almost limitlessly, and personally refined by Perlnirn himself—its center of gravity, balance, and length are all perfect. It was designed for Cain.
That might be why it didn't suit this body, <Judah>. Set for two-handed use rather than one, it felt awkward even gripped single-handed. Still, its superior attack power over the 'Apprentice Fighter's Stance' and the Swordsmanship Correction skill would elevate it beyond a fine sword into true divine territory.
'The issue is Yakal not accepting me.'
Perhaps because his trials hadn't swayed it, it lent no power. He could only benefit from the item effects; other skills were inaccessible. Like with Altemia, attempting activation yielded no response. Already uninterested in wielding such a cumbersome greatsword, its disobedience just drew a sigh.
'And I still have a long way to go for Winter Wind or Silverion.'
Those two had owners, making them even harder to obtain. Judah sighed. Seeing him silent, Arhil and Jeanne assumed he was considering their words and waited for his reply. They were great companions. No one playing the game would've thought the constantly betrayed Judah would gain such reliable allies.
"Anyway! I'll be back."
"Judah!"
Jeanne called his name, as if pleading one last time.
"You might really die. I know you have the fragments, but even so, you can't survive in there!"
"Of course, but if Lady Isabel loses, we're dead anyway."
He could flee beforehand. Using the teleportation magic stone given by Count Genuear in Aslan would whisk them straight to the [Uruun Kingdom]. No need to suffer here anymore. But passing up this chance to fight Spirit Sword owners without losing anything—abilities, skills, items would reset on death and regression, but experience and memory remained. Those were invaluable assets.
"Then I'll go too."
"No, you can't."
"? Why not? I'm as capable as you, Judah. I can protect you with my skills. With Arhil's blessings, I could even withstand a Spirit Sword owner's blade!"
"Coldly speaking, you could only take a few hits. Your body might endure, but that gear won't."
Jeanne's face hardened. Seeing her displeased expression, Judah wondered and offered the Yakal in his right hand.
"If you can use it, let's go together."
Had he pricked her pride? She planted her lance in the ground and took Yakal. Like finding a new host, the sword that had been inert in Judah's hand now thrummed. As Jeanne's sclera flushed red, Judah swiftly snatched it back.
"...!"
Whatever she'd glimpsed in that instant made her gasp and pant. Judah apologized.
"Sorry, Jeanne. I know what you're trying to say, what you're worried about—but I have to go."
Just in case, he considered giving Arhil the teleportation stone, but since he'd just respawn on death, he bolted straight for where he guessed Quake and Isabel were fighting. And very spectacularly...
[You have respawned.]
He was bisected by Quake's downward greatsword swing.