Chapter 128
Chapter 128
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: Chapter 3-1. Black Tree Tribe
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The message floating in front of him vanished automatically after a set time, as if embarrassed by Yuda's lingering gaze. Returning to the view of Cain's corpse below, Yuda let out a sigh.
"Ha, damn it."
The moment of his recent death flashed in his mind. It had been fine up to the point of charging into the fray where Isabel and Quake were battling. In fact, it was so perfect he wanted to pat himself on the back. He had dodged or batted away Isabel's arrows while closing in on Quake, then unleashed Altemia and swung Yakal in a surprise attack.
—!
Quake, caught off guard by Yuda's intrusion into their duel, widened his eyes at the rapid approach. The fact that Yuda wielded Yakal meant Cain—the one Quake had trusted to win—was dead. Flustered by the unexpected arrival, Quake retreated from Yuda's assault, only for Isabel's arrow to pierce his forearm before he could react. He yanked it out in haste, now forced to block Yuda's strikes while fending off Isabel's precisely aimed shots from his blind spot.
I can do this.
That had been his foolish thought.
Quake's skill was no joke. Though he'd taken one arrow from Isabel, he was a wall too high for Yuda to scale head-on. Yuda lacked the strength, stamina, and technique. Only his agility matched Quake's, and even then, his high luck had barely saved him from fatal blows.
—Arrogant fool. Killing the apostle chosen by the Holy King was unexpected, but you think a greenhorn who's lived a mere decade or two can best me, who's wielded the sword a lifetime?
When their blades clashed, Yuda failed to deflect the force as planned. Overpowered, the sword slipped from his grasp. Quake, anticipating it, snatched the airborne blade with acrobatic flair. The instant Yakal returned to its original master, it granted him the power it had withheld from Yuda.
Yuda desperately thrust Altemia forward to block the slashing strike, but he couldn't withstand the force—his arm was severed. Gritting his teeth through the agony, Yuda activated Altemia's "Immortality" ability, expending all his stored life force. His arm regenerated with monstrous speed, and he lunged back into the fight. But Quake closed the distance in a flash, impaling and hoisting Yuda aloft.
He had seen it coming.
With his demon eye open and Shadow Deployment active, Yuda had even predicted the attack.
Yet knowing didn't help him block it.
—Die.
Just as Cain had coughed up blood in death, so did Yuda. And with the follow-up strike, his head was cleaved off.
"Died too overwhelmingly... Do I really have to try again?"
One death was already shaking his resolve. Yuda hesitated briefly, then steeled himself with stubborn pride and dove back in after telling Jeanne and Arhil. He met his end absurdly easily once more.
[You have resurrected.]
An unwelcome message.
[You have resurrected.]
He really didn't want to see it. But no matter how much he dreaded it, it appeared anyway. He died to Isabel's arrow while crossing blades with Quake, or from the strength gap like before. His neck sliced, limbs broken, body bisected—he died in every way imaginable.
It made him realize just how many ways a person could die.
Trauma or madness would be no surprise, but thanks to the <Player> trait, he felt only numbness after each death.
Still, it wasn't all dying. With each attempt, he learned a little more, grasping how to fight. He evaded Quake's strikes with Phantom Sword for counterattacks, or revived via the Sixth Lord's blessing to land critical hits. Since the blessing's cooldown reset upon resurrection, he experimented with varied strategies.
Knowing Quake's skills from the game meant he could clear it easily if controlling a character like in-game. But here, every swing's direction, speed, power, and feint demanded attention.
Around the fifteenth revival.
Perhaps sheer luck, but it was his best fight yet. Isabel's support landed perfectly on Quake, creating an opening. Blades erupted from Altemia scattered on the ground, binding Quake, as Isabel's delayed arrows riddled his body, staggering him.
It seemed like a prime chance, but after so many similar near-wins, Yuda stayed cautious. Just as he thought he'd push to the end, a split-second mistake let Quake grab his face and slam him down. Before reason returned amid the skull-crushing impact, a sword pierced his heart, ending him.
[You have resurrected.]
If someone was outputting these messages, he'd want to punch them. He'd almost won—finally about to kill Quake! Grinding his teeth in fury, he challenged again.
That decisive opening came after about ten more deaths.
Desperate to avoid another death, he seized the moment. Isabel's arrow whistled through, piercing Quake's brow. It was the instant Quake parried Yuda's hurled Altemia and brought Yakal slashing down from above. An arrow grazed past Yuda's face from behind, embedding in Quake's forehead with a thunk.
"Fall back!"
Hearing the voice from behind, Yuda leaped away. Mana arrows rained down like a storm from the sky. Quake's death was sealed the moment his brow was pierced, but instinct made Yuda shield his face with his greatsword—no arrows hit his head. His hands gripping the hilt, shoulders, chest, gut, thighs—Quake's body bristled with arrows.
"You... bastard..."
His eyes bloodshot, breath not yet gone, Quake glared at Yuda. His lips moved heavily, as if to speak. Yuda had no interest in a dying man's words.
"Shut your trap and get to the afterlife already."
Panting from exhaustion, Yuda approached and swung Yakal two-handed, decapitating him. The unpleasant sensation at his fingertips turned to ecstasy in that moment.
Like in comics, Quake's head flew off cleanly with a satisfying snap. Yuda savored the spraying blood. Twenty-two times. Plus one more from the blessing—forty-four deaths exactly. He'd been killed that many times, and built on those to sever Quake's neck. Without Isabel, it would've been impossible.
"Arrrghhhhhh──────────!"
In the midst of toppled trees and lingering dust, Yuda roared. The cry boiled up from his gut, echoing thunderously. As if celebrating his victory, message windows rapidly updated in his view.
[You have defeated Red Bear Tribe Chieftain 'Quake.' Overcoming a spirit sword wielder who dominated in skill, experience, and ability is a tremendous feat.]
[Though aided by Black Tree Tribe's 'Isabel,' your own abilities contributed significantly.]
[Level increased by 4. All stats rise by 1.]
[Shadow Heresy Arts/Sword Arts proficiency increased by 2.]
[Part of spirit sword wielder Quake's soul is absorbed into Shadow Heresy Arts → 9th Form: Dancing Wraith Knight.]
[Current ability and qualifications insufficient; traits of Shadow Heresy Arts → 9th Form: Dancing Wraith Knight remain hidden.]
──────────────────────
「Status Window」
[Name: Yuda Arsher]
[Title: Little Hero of Selenia Castle (2)]
[Level: 42]
[Class: Black Claw _ Shadow Magic Swordsman (Hidden A)]
[Resurrection Count: 25]
[Strength: 51 (C) / Potential A]
[Stamina: 47 (C) / Potential S]
[Agility: 61 (B) / Potential SS]
[Mana: 45 (C) / Potential B]
[Magic Resistance: 58 (C) / Potential S]
[Charisma: 12 (F) / Potential A]
[Knowledge: 21 (D) / Potential B] ◀ Special
[Luck: 85 (A) / Potential S] ◀ Special
[Remaining Points: 6]
──────────────────────
[Shadow Heresy Arts/Sword Arts] - Rank: A / Workmanship: 9/10
──────────────────────
Yuda burst into laughter, chest heaving as he gazed down at Quake's collapsing corpse. Each death had fueled his vow to kill him next time. He'd considered quitting once more midway, but the grudges from all those losses wouldn't allow it. Now victorious, he barely registered the updated messages.
"Good work."
Isabel ran up, clapped his shoulder while he stared at Quake's body, and ruffled his hair. She was drenched in sweat, her damp locks caked in dirt—she'd suffered too.
Yuda watched violet light seep from Quake's corpse, soon forming a Unique-grade code.
"Take it."
Isabel picked it up and offered it to him. Surprised she'd hand over something even she, from this remote place, would recognize as a code.
"It's scant recompense for risking your life, but take it anyway. You earned it—truly."
She stroked his head gently, like praising a child. Yuda didn't pull away. Though he played it cool, his heart still raced; victory hadn't fully sunk in.
========== Author's Note ==========
1)
Q. Jeanne kinda gives off a Saber-Ruler vibe,
A. I get Saber, but what's Ruler? Thought it was a person so I searched—oh, she's pretty cute. She from a comic too?
Q. That resurrection count isn't there for nothing... Something's up, right?
A. Nothing at all (lol)
Q. Cain's comrades were just said to be cut down— are they definitely dead?
A. Yep, dead. Didn't plan much for their stories anyway.
2) Author heads off to study. Thought it'd take 2 hours, took 3 lol ㅂㄷㅂㄷ.