Chapter 128
Chapter 128
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: East Continent
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East Continent.
East Continent.
People talked about that place.
A world where the labyrinths had been unleashed.
Or so they said.
Labyrinths.
In [Cradle], labyrinths were bizarre places.
They teemed with monsters, and delving into them allowed one to accumulate experience points and level up.
The West Continent had labyrinths everywhere.
But what about the East Continent?
-A dangerous place.
-Somewhere people couldn't live in peace.
-The reason why those who had settled there were migrating to the West Continent.
Many spoke of the East Continent that way.
An untamed land.
A continent overflowing with countless monsters.
It was so perilous that even families rooted there for centuries were fleeing to the West Continent.
-Well, even so, it's not that dangerous.
'...?'
-They make it sound like the labyrinths are packed to the brim with monsters everywhere inside... but it's not quite that bad. There are at least signs beforehand.
'Signs?'
-Demon Realm Gates.
The Holy Sword spoke quietly.
-The eastern continent spawns things called Demon Realm Gates. They're literally gates connecting to the demon realms. When they say the labyrinths have been unleashed, that's what they mean.
'...'
Demon Realm Gates.
The name alone made it hard to guess precisely, but...
'It's a pretty predictable name.'
It felt oddly familiar somehow.
It clicked when I thought of it like the gates from that famous hunter webtoon in my past life.
I explained it to the Holy Sword that way.
-Gates? Hm, similar enough. A Demon Realm Gate is ultimately just a passage for the monsters inside to come through.
...So they really were gates?
-Anyway, the strength of a Demon Realm Gate varies by its color. Over the past millennium, the East has grown stronger by battling those things.
'How strong exactly?'
-Well... about a hundred years ago, they were divided into forces known as the Nine Great Sects, the Ten Heavenly Plagues, and the Five Great Clans.
'No way.'
For some reason, I felt an ominous premonition.
-Twenty-five forces in total. And most of their leaders possessed power equivalent to level 9.
'For real?'
-Yes, but most of them are 'bound.'
Bound?
-That's why most of them can't move freely. They've bound the Demon Realm Gates, which is the only reason the West Continent is safe.
'...How many level 9s does the West Continent have?'
-The Emperor and the Five Dukes, plus the leaders of each race, and about two or three more per race. The issue is that the powerhouses in the West have fewer 'restrictions' compared to those in the East, so the East Continent always keeps an eye on the West.
'Then why are they holding the hero tournament in the East Continent this time?'
-No idea. Maybe it's some political maneuvering on their part.
After my conversation with the Holy Sword,
I stepped outside.
What they called a flying ship reminded me less of an airplane and more of a cruise liner.
But I hadn't anticipated the interior.
'...What is this, a real party?'
There were buildings that seemed to bridge medieval and modern styles, constructed in a completely different manner.
If I didn't have memories from my past life, I might have gawked like some country bumpkin.
A finely crafted little city.
As I slowly took in the novel scenery,
"Do you know the lineup for this year's hero tournament participants?"
"Didn't they say the Sword Hero spot's already claimed by the Empire's Genius Killer? The Saintess has already picked Veronica for Priest Hero, so maybe an outstanding talent showed up for Thief or Mage?"
"What era are you living in? Word is, the Genius Killer already lost to Ja'an's Sword Ghost!"
"What?"
"... "
My ears perked up.
How had rumors of me beating the Genius Killer spread everywhere already?
"Ja'an's Sword Ghost. That name's already huge in [Cradle]. The disciple taken in by Volkan, who stubbornly sticks to Sword King over Sword Emperor despite the burden. Rumors say even the Black Nether Sorcerer acknowledged him!"
"Beat the Genius Killer? You mean the Genius Killer? That's a monster in human skin."
The serious tone.
Soyeonhwa was indeed a monster. The Holy Sword had said no one could ever learn the hero's swordsmanship, but she'd picked it up anyway.
"The Genius Killer, a genius who sees a sword technique once and adapts it to herself. They call her that because she slays other geniuses—the wall of geniuses. Don't speak so lightly of it."
"But the rumors are everywhere in [Cradle]. Ja'an's Sword Ghost beat the Genius Killer..."
"Tch, more fools trying to tarnish her moniker. If the rumors are true, the Sword Hero's already decided."
"Well, it won't be easy. There's that orc hero candidate born with immense power, and the dwarf born with the power of golden thunder..."
"Even if they all team up, they might have a shot. Still, the Genius Killer wins for sure."
"Word is everyone's betting on Ja'an's Sword Ghost in [Cradle]..."
"You gonna get swept up in rumors? If they're true, a monster's appeared that makes the hero tournament pointless. Come on, hurry. The Crown Prince and Princess are on this ship—we need to impress them."
"Sigh, as if those kinds would even glance our way..."
The two who looked like nobles headed off to one side.
The Holy Sword listened in, then chuckled at me.
-How's it feel to hear you're a monster who makes the hero tournament meaningless? And a hero showing up in the thief category wielding a holy sword?
'...'
*
I didn't go outside.
With weird rumors spreading, I felt like I'd just draw unwanted attention if I wandered around.
-Hiding won't make the problem go away.
'...Yeah.'
Truth was, this was just delaying the inevitable.
But at least I could relax for now.
'Pretty comfy in here, though.'
I'd thought a long flight would be tiring, but not here. Maybe some magic was at work.
-Still, 'that' is coming up soon, right?
'...Yeah.'
'That' wasn't anything major.
The hero candidates showing off their skills before the nobles.
Other races pre-selected and invested heavily in theirs, but the Empire was an exception.
Factional infighting.
Hence, swarms of hero candidates here.
Most were nobles desperate for connections.
But there were some who felt genuinely strong.
'If I win the matches, they'll try binding me with promises of support. I'll probably refuse most.'
But something nagged at me.
The Crown Prince and Princess.
I had a feeling those two wouldn't let me go easily.
'Ah, whatever. Time to eat.'
Head hurting. Best to just grab some food.
Cheongju was cooking, so I moved silently, erasing my presence.
It was a hero tournament ship, but the Crown Prince and Princess had drawn all the eyes, so the cafeteria wasn't too crowded.
Normally there'd be chefs, but with Cheongju and me in the group, we handled our own meals.
Anyway, I headed to the cafeteria.
A place exuding luxury.
Only top-tier hero candidates and high nobles could enter here.
'Gotta have top noble backing just to qualify for the tournament.'
Rare cases of dragons from the slums happened, but in this world, everything split around age 15 when gifts awakened.
I dimmed my presence further and strode inside.
My companions were already seated.
But the place buzzed with others too.
Mostly adventurers, it seemed.
Chilling auras prickled the air.
Everyone on edge.
I slipped through silently toward my group.
"This guy's really something else."
"...Sniff. I smell Master."
Volkan eyed me incredulously as Cheongyurang said something bizarre.
'No way there's a scent.'
-There could be body odor or something... but your stealth goes beyond that. Is that woman sensing you the same way?
The Holy Sword sounded both baffled and intrigued.
I sat down in a daze.
The moment I did, Ermé looked flustered.
"Eek! What is that technique?!"
"Just basic presence suppression."
"Without Volkan here, I might've drawn my sword for real."
Ermé pouted lightly.
Was it that stealthy?
I didn't think it'd warrant an instant sword draw.
As I pondered, I felt eyes on us from all sides.
"Sword Emperor Volkan..."
"Is that purple-eyed guy Ja'an's Sword Ghost?"
"Genius Killer's here too."
"Elf swordsman... wielding a Darkmoon sword, and an elf in a clan..."
Murmurs rose.
After a moment, a huge commotion erupted from the back.
Kwang—!!
A deafening boom.
A familiar presence.
One I'd felt before.
And the one behind it was familiar too.
'One feels recent.'
Glancing back, I spotted the owner.
Seraphina.
The elf woman who'd caused a ruckus in that small town before.
And the other one.
'...Feels familiar.'
I narrowed my eyes and peered over.
"Tch, elves fighting again."
Burkan glanced over with an annoyed look.
"Burkan, doesn't that guy look familiar?"
"Hm? I don't pay elves much mind... Silvarian Blacklure."
Ah, right, that was his name.
The one who'd ambushed us out of nowhere in the labyrinth, teaming up with Burkan.
'He's here too.'
Did the elves have some real depth after all?
I watched them closely. If it was the Thief Hero tournament, I might end up fighting them.
Then.
"Kuhahahahaha! So it was you!!"
Fighting spirit rang out like lightning.
It was different from usual. Heightened by his excitement, it had taken tangible form and spread everywhere.
"Ja'an's Sword Ghost! I knew those features sounded familiar!! Yeah, yeah! No way a being with this kind of spirit wouldn't have a name!"
Gotash.
Orc hero candidate.
The monstrously huge orc was grinning madly at me.
Whoooosh—!!
His overwhelming fighting spirit dominated the entire room. Volkan watched me with an amused expression, and I sighed inwardly.
'A lunatic?'
He looked like he wanted to throw down with me right now.
'What a pain.'
I had no desire to reveal my strength early. Connections were fine, but I already had Volkan and the guild master.
I stared at Gotash.
His posture screamed he was about to challenge me any second.
Maybe I should strike first.
As I considered it, Volkan stepped in.
"This is an airship. Sit down."
"Ah, yes. Sorry."
Gotash bowed his head politely.
"...?"
What the hell?