Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: To Live in This World
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00024 Chapter 1-2. To Live in This World.
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Whether Tia’s cigarette smoke really had the effect of drawing in monsters or not, the Black Wolves truly began appearing one after another. The moment the wolves revealed themselves before her eyes, Tia patted Judah on the shoulder a couple of times in encouragement before activating Stealth.
A C-rank Stealth at Master proficiency showed remarkable results. The wolves were startled and went on high alert as Tia suddenly vanished from sight right in front of them, but when nothing happened even as time passed, they looked around puzzled, tilting their heads, then bared their gums at Judah, revealing their killing intent.
Amid the wolves’ pouring hostility, Judah gripped a longsword in his right hand and a dagger in his left, assuming the preparatory stance of the Shadow Sword Arts. No sooner had he taken position than they charged.
Without using any heresy arts, the wolves’ movements felt incredibly fast compared to yesterday. He barely dodged their attacks, but he failed to control the distance, and sharp claws tore his clothes. Hearing the rip and seeing his clothing shred, he moved calmly. Dodging attacks while watching for openings, he focused on counters to dispatch the wolves. Once he’d dealt with them, Tia revealed herself from her perch in the tree above. Scolding came before praise.
“Attack first. Why do you just stand there waiting for them to strike?”
As if it were that easy.
“Keep moving. Don’t stay in one spot. You’re not holding a shield—if they bite you once, it’s over. Always stay fluid.”
“It wasn’t that you fought poorly. Throwing the dagger to disrupt the others’ flow was good. But if you throw it and gain nothing, it’s a loss. You always need to remember how many daggers you’ve thrown.”
Catching his slightly ragged breath, he brushed off the blood on his body and nodded at her words. Soon after, perhaps drawn by the scent of blood, the next pack of Black Wolves arrived. This time, there were four. Facing the wolves charging at him simultaneously from all sides as they surrounded him, he moved his body as Tia had instructed. He threw the dagger in his left hand. The blade, still fresh with unwiped blood, cut through the air toward a wolf’s forehead, but this wolf didn’t dodge—instead, it swatted the flat of the blade aside with its paw.
Shifting his body toward the direction of the swung paw, he slashed upward with his sword. Hot blood sprayed once more. Watching the red blood fountain into the air, Judah spun around. Before he knew it, the wolf that had landed on the ground was lunging at him with its densely packed teeth bared. Judah drove his knee into the wolf’s jaw. With a crunch, its mouth was forced shut, sending shards of teeth flying. He immediately smashed the dagger in his left hand down on its head. No sooner had the wolf collapsed than the other two charged from both sides—one aiming for his head, the other for his legs.
Rather than countering, he chose to evade. He pulled back, then kicked hard into the side of the wolf targeting his leg from the left. His body was only about middle-schooler size, but bolstered by his stats, his physical abilities surpassed those of a sturdy adult. His powerful kick mocked the wolf as if to say it had underestimated him, delivering an unexpectedly heavy impact that sent it flying far away.
Kyaaang!
Ignoring the heavy-bodied wolf shrieking as it flew, he unleashed [Shadow Sword Arts 2nd Form - Slash] on the one glaring at him right beside. Black particles fluttered in the air like snowflakes. With a sharp sound, he sliced into its side, and as he moved to follow up, the kicked wolf came charging back, wrapped in fury. Fast. Though he’d inflicted a mortal wound, he couldn’t finish it off.
Would swinging his dagger be faster, or would its bite?
Judging it safe for now, he quickly vacated the spot. But the Black Wolf landed on the ground and immediately lunged at Judah again. Caught in rage, its gleaming teeth between bared gums looked especially sharp. Still, not dangerously so. Judah raised the sword in his hand and swiftly struck down the wolf.
He harvested only the magic stone from the fallen wolf’s body and moved on to find the next pack. The hide was valuable, but time was precious, so he didn’t bother skinning them. The goal this time was purely to gain experience.
Scenting the blood of their kin on him, the wolves began gathering bit by bit. With each pack he encountered, Judah’s stiff movements grew more natural, and he became accustomed to swinging his sword. It was visible even to the naked eye.
‘…Is this even possible?’
Perched on a thick tree branch with her butt planted, Tia watched, tilting her head. Judah’s combat sense was extraordinary. As a mercenary who’d long worked her way up to owning a silver badge, she’d seen countless people. Among them were laughably inept rookies and experts who left her in awe. Most of those experts either owned silver badges or were aiming for gold.
Yet Judah’s fighting style was something seen only in the highly experienced. He captured the perfect moments for offense and defense. She’d originally planned to let him struggle against multiples, then kill all but one to force 1v1s for experience.
But he was fighting better than she’d expected. No, it wasn’t just good fighting—it looked like adaptation. He’d immediately taken her initial advice. Instead of overmoving and wasting stamina, he shifted positions quickly to create one-on-one matchups. This was no beginner’s instinct.
At a frightening speed, Judah was piling up experience. And this time, he dispatched the pack even more steadily and swiftly than before. From the battles so far, if he had a flaw, it was occasional slowdowns in reaction. It seemed to happen when multiple responses came to mind and he hesitated on which to choose. She’d stepped in to help a few times because of it, but she didn’t point it out. He’d probably realize it himself.
Time and experience would fix it.
This rapid growth was entirely thanks to his traits [Martial God] and [Blessing of the First Legion Lord].
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[Martial God] - Rank: S / Workmanship: Master
Possesses innate talent for combat, instinctively seizing the optimal moments for attack/defense.
Dynamic vision and reaction speed increase, with Strength and Vitality stats +10.
Resists fatigue easily; when the body reaches its limit, temporary continued combat is possible.
[Blessing of the First Legion Lord (Growth)] - Rank: C
Received the blessing of the Demon Realm’s First Legion Lord, the Ruler of Space, Xian.
However, lacking qualifications, most power is sealed.
Acquisition rate of knowledge and experience rises.
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The two traits synergized, accelerating his growth beyond anyone else. His current skill was copper-badge level, but his combat sense was silver. At this development speed and talent…
‘At least platinum badge!’
Her eye for people hadn’t been wrong so far. Yesterday, in the book she’d been reading, ‘Wind Hunter,’ there was this line.
-Perhaps I’m witnessing the growth of a future hero right now.-
Why did that come to mind at this moment?
Tia watched Judah with a faint smile, chewing on the mouthpiece of her extinguished pipe. Against the ferocious Black Wolves that hunted in packs and devoured flesh without leaving a scrap, he built experience with concise movements and precise strikes.
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# Heavenly Realm, 3rd Stratum - Gabriel’s Sanctuary
There was a temple from which holy energy flowed like the scent of flowers. To reach it, one had to cross an elegantly crafted arch bridge. A man stepped onto the unguarded bridge. Rectangular planters lined the railing at intervals, filled with lilies, and the moment he ascended, a subtle floral fragrance lingered at his nose.
Savoring the serene surroundings, he crossed and found seventy-seven steps leading up to the temple. Each held special meaning, but the man didn’t remember them all. He’d only heard there was meaning to them. With no one in the temple to explain, one could only ponder personally. Or rather, no one knew of the steps’ significance until told.
Climbing each one diligently, he finally reached the entrance. Plain white pillars without markings on either side supported the massive roof. He glanced up at the grand pillars and roof, then stepped onto the marble floor inside. His footsteps echoed loudly—thud, thud. The spotless floor reflected his image like a mirror.
The temple remained empty as always. No attendant angels, no furniture. Only the sacred energy flowing from somewhere and the quiet conducive to thought were its sole merits.
Deeper in, light poured from a circular opening in the ceiling onto a clear spring of matching size below.
About 10cm above the water’s surface floated a nude woman. Above her head shone a holy crown—one of the marks of high angels—a faintly glowing golden ring. The six wings on her back covered her bare form.
The lower two veiled her waist and thighs artfully; the middle two were spread wide, seemingly absorbing the light from above; the top two draped from her shoulders over her chest and stomach. From the side, something might peek through the gaps, but from the front, even staring intently revealed nothing but her navel. Thanks to that, he felt nothing seeing her naked.
This beautiful woman was Gabriel, one of the Heavenly Realm’s three Holy Kings. Her green hair framed a face with mouth firmly shut and eyes closed, as if in deep slumber.
“…….”
To announce himself, the man walked slowly without hiding his footsteps. Yet she didn’t open her eyes. Thinking she wasn’t in a welcoming posture, but since he’d come unannounced, he simply waited. And waited. Finally, tired of waiting, he sighed softly, breaking the silence.
“Isn’t it too much to show no reaction even with a guest?”
“Not particularly welcome.”
She replied without opening her eyes. A beautiful voice. But it carried an inexplicable sadness. Hands in his pants pockets, the man looked up at Gabriel.
“Aren’t you being too harsh? I’m just about your only friend who visits this silent, lonely temple.”
At that, she slowly opened her eyes. Clear as the spring below, her pupils shone over long lashes.
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Tip 16. In this world, there are beings who take the place of gods. In the Demon Realm, they are called Legion Lords; in the Heavenly Realm, Holy Kings. Each wields powerful influence over the Middle Realm. Believe in them, and occasionally they grant special powers matching their disposition.
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========== Afterword ==========
Zelnaga, my goodness!
So many of you gave me coupons while clamoring for the next chapter.
Your author here, to meet those expectations, ate the chicken bought with your coupons—no, bought a chicken with the coupons, poured in my blood, sweat, flesh, and time, and forged the next chapter.
Now, hit that recommend button and head to the next one.
The next chapter awaits you.
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