Chapter 109
Chapter 109
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: Villainess
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Villainess.
On the way home.
In front of the portal on the 1st floor of the Labyrinth.
I was suddenly gripped by a bizarre sensation.
'......Something.'
I felt a gaze.
Something we couldn't resist right now.
A massive eyeball had been trying to peer into us.
"......!"
I dove into the portal without even looking back.
"Does it hurt somewhere?"
"Why so sudden?"
"No, it just felt like something dangerous was there."
"Dangerous?"
Black Void tilted his head and glanced at the portal. But it remained utterly still.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ As expected, your senses are sharp. The holy sword spoke as if delighted.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ If you'd been even a little later...... it might have triggered some kind of change. Retreating early was the wise choice. A somewhat leisurely voice.
I glanced at the holy sword.
This thing seems to be changing bit by bit too.
'Back when those beastly things were coming, it faded away again.'
Its tone felt like it was gradually recalling memories.
A peculiar sensation.
I squinted at the portal.
'Who the hell is that guy?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Leader of the Eternal Legion. 'Looked insanely strong.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ That man called Black Void would have maybe a 10% chance if he went all out. '......So winning really is some kind of magic spell.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Hm? 'Just a figure of speech.'
Black Void's win rate being only 10% was a shock.
But somehow, that made me feel relieved.
By the time my conviction solidified that next time we hit the Labyrinth, we should go in a bigger group.
Volkan was eyeing us from his usual slouched stance.
"How'd it go?"
"Not much to show for it."
"Not much?"
Volkan stared at us, baffled.
"We took down about ten of those Eternal Legion goons, but we were heading lower when I got that weird vibe."
"You got a weird vibe?"
"And...... there's something I'm not totally sure on, but wanna hear it?"
"Spit it out. Your instincts are off-kilter anyway."
Black Void and Volkan fixed their gazes on me.
"On the way from the 1st floor here, it felt like some massive thing was watching us."
"......A massive gaze? You ever felt that before?"
Volkan glanced at Soyeonhwa and Black Void.
They both shook their heads.
"That's why you looked pale?"
"Hmm...... So if that thing fought me, how do you reckon it'd go?"
Black Void lobbed out a loaded question.
'Tricky.'
It might bruise his ego.
The holy sword pegged Black Void's odds at 10% in a fight.
He might charge down solo just to prove a point.
Sensing my dilemma, maybe.
Volkan smirked at Black Void.
"Looks like you're holding back 'cause you're worried I'd get hurt?"
"Hmph. I'm an imperial duke before I'm a swordsman. Think I'd bite on cheap bait like that?"
With him pushing like that, no dodging it now.
"Roughly 10%......"
"Hm?"
"Huh?"
Weird noises erupted.
Volkan looked stunned.
Black Void wore utter disbelief.
"No way my odds are 90%......"
"He's the weakest among us, sure, but a measly 10% shot at beating him?"
Both eyed me dubiously.
But Volkan shook it off quick, face turning grave.
"This...... ain't something I can settle solo. Heading to the Guild Master."
With that.
He snagged my nape and hauled me off.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Volkan dragged me straight to the Guild Master's office.
I recalled my first glimpse of her, clear as day.
An old memory by now.
'That memory.'
Still sharp.
The office brimmed with trees, leaves blooming vivid on wooden pillars.
An endlessly tranquil vibe.
And a colossal door dwarfing even Volkan's gut.
As we neared.
Creak.
The door swung open on its own.
"You've arrived."
A being emerged.
Flaming hair like roaring inferno. Golden eyes piercing all.
Not the divine gold of saintly priests.
Nor the crown prince's kin.
Reptilian.
Bright yellow, preying stare that shrank you instinctive.
She eyed me, then my scabbards.
Two sheaths.
One: Thunder Dragon Sword.
The other: holy sword.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Whoa...... that old hag's still kicking? The holy sword marveled.
The Guild Master smirked.
"Got yourself a cheeky toy that runs its mouth."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Pulling the mysterious act. "Hilarious how a hero's weapon plays deaf while badmouthing folks."
"......?"
"......"
Volkan cocked his head.
Me? Flat-out flustered.
'No way she just......'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Yep. That lady can hear me loud and clear. I snuck a peek. The Guild Master grinned back.
"Right...... Volkan dubbed you Sword Hero, but you stuck to Thief Hero, Sword Hero. How's it sitting now?"
"Huh? Sword Hero?"
Volkan's eyes bugged out.
I pulled a awkward face.
"Oops. Still under wraps?"
"Nah, Sword Hero just didn't feel right for me......"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You punk, still pulling that nonsense! The holy sword barked in exasperation.
Truth be told, nothing to argue there.
I'd learned swordplay, footwork, breathing.
But somehow......
'Doesn't feel like Sword Hero material.'
That nagging hunch.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Over a feeling...... no, your senses are quirky, but wait, is that accurate? The holy sword shot me a baffled look.
Volkan gawked, horrified.
"You...... got picked by the holy sword?"
"........................................................Yeah."
"How the hell? No chance to cross paths with it, right? These days, pre-hero tourney, nations are sneaking out the divine gear......"
"W-well, kinda stumbled on it......"
"Stumbled on the holy sword? Only fanatics who ditch everything else transport those!"
"......"
What was Diago on about.
Fighting me over a demon kid while hauling the holy sword.
'Typical Diago, though.'
Absurd picking a demon to guard, mid-transport no less.
"Fate, I guess. You...... wanna steer clear of sword ties, but feels fleeting too."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ That witch lost it. Fine, flex your skills! Be Sword Hero and Thief Hero! Oh. Nice pitch from the sword.
But no way others greenlight that.
Guild Master tittered at the holy sword.
She turned to me.
"Still, that's a lot for mere fate."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Hah, damn straight. How much loot's this thief swiped off me? Hand it to that holy palace prick on a platter? Fat chance! Holy sword squawked.
Why the bad blood.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Duh. That jerk's eyed my picks how many times! 'Eyed your picks?'
"Straight-up murdered 'em. Elves excel at that."
Guild Master beamed.
Volkan looked flustered meantime.
"Chatting with the holy sword, eh?"
"Y-yeah......"
"That Black Void bit—was that from it?"
"Yup, sorta......"
"Figures. Too spot-on for your gut."
Volkan nodded.
"Then that freaky sword style and steps—it taught you?"
"Learning the breathing now too."
"Breathing?"
"Hero's Breathing Technique......"
"Intriguing. Was gonna pass on Violet Mist Divine Art anyway, but no need."
Violet Mist Divine Art?
Rang familiar.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Hoo? You beefed with Mount Hua Sect, right? Yeah, Violet Mist Divine Art fits as a pillar for Hero's Breathing. "You approve."
Guild Master replied aloof.
Turned those reptilian yellow eyes on me.
"Hero's Breathing Technique: ancient method synced with top divine arts since old times. Violet Mist Divine Art works."
"Hmm?"
"You upheld your oath anyway. No ties to Mount Hua Sect, wrecked by Demonic Cult and beasts—you aimed to groom a new heir here."
"......"
Volkan shut his eyes at her words.
Troubled look.
"You got your heir now. Kid might top the empire. Cheongha, fine to sync your divine arts with the breathing."
"......Really okay?"
"Why ask me. Mount Hua's will is yours now."
"......"
Volkan eyed me.
I recalled my prior words to him.
No disciples.
No passing karma.
But amid crown prince ambush.
He offered: direct disciple, he'd back me full.
I took it.
Now.
"......"
Volkan's gaze complex.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Slurp.
Volkan and Han Yuseong stepped out.
Guild Master sipped tea, eyes softly shut.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Black Void's 90% toast. Holy sword's take.
Labyrinth's menace: that strong.
'Still clinging to life.'
The dreaded scenario hit.
Soul-wielding gift owner.
Waged war on Cradle and empire.
Reaped lives endless, ended half-dead.
Fled to Labyrinth final.
Hundreds years since.
Twilight Guide, Azazel.
Empire crumbled.
Three kingdoms erased.
Cradle nearly fell too—worst catastrophe.
First Level 9.
Worst Level 9's doing.
'Time to handle it.'
Guild Master.
The primordial opened serene eyes.
'Uphold Mother's legacy.'
For world's equilibrium.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Volkan led to a quiet clearing.
Empty field.
Seven plum trees rooted there.
"Know this? East's a world where Labyrinth's loose, they say."
"Yeah, heard."
"West: Labyrinth holds 'em back...... East: monsters roam wild."
"......"
Chilling prospect.
Shallow-floor beasts? Manageable.
20th, 25th floor escape?
Nightmare fuel.
Even I'd bite dust there.
Bosses? Utter devastation.
"My sect fell to a beast loosed from there. Others raided, but that sealed it.
Crumbled. I roamed half-insane. Heart demon gripped—slaughtered, slaughtered, slaughtered.
Didn't wanna chain that karma to another. My arts mighty, but karma dies with me."
Volkan eyed me.
"Said all this, but you ain't ditching the art, right?"
"Nah."
"Heh...... good, good. Then you're Mount Hua Sect's 15th Leader now."
And.
⚔ SKILL ACQUIRED ⚔ [Violet MistDivine Art (A+)] ⚔ SKILL ACQUIRED ⚔ [Flame Blossom Divine Art (S-)] ⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ [Extreme Thunder God · Violet (S)] absorbs Violet Mist Divine Art properties. ⚔ TECHNIQUE UPGRADE ⚔ [Hero's Authentic Breathing] level has risen. ```