Chapter 134
Chapter 134
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: Heroes' Contest
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Contrary to Veronica's ominous premonition, nothing happened at the lodging.
I gazed at Veronica with eyes even more pitying than before.
"No, why, what, why!"
"That can happen."
"No, it really felt ominous!"
Veronica let out a piercing shriek.
I sighed inwardly and looked at her with pitying eyes.
Still, just in case, I quickly scanned the entire lodging.
'Doesn't seem like anything's there.'
-Maybe she sensed that guy from the Demonic Cult.
I nodded at the holy sword's words.
She's the Saintess Veronica, after all. Even if something did happen, it'd be fine.
After the brief commotion, we caught some sleep and set off.
After traveling a short while like that...
'Finally arrived.'
Peking.
The site of the Heroes' Contest.
*
Fortunately, our lodging had already been prepared.
"We will confirm the names of those participating in the Heroes' Contest."
The man standing in front of the inn—no, the guesthouse—said to us.
"S-Swor...d King, Volkan-nim."
"Old man, watch your glare."
"What's that, got a problem?"
"Isn't it your glaring that's making him stutter like a quaking aspen?"
"Tsk... My one and only disciple shows no respect for his master."
"He's got plenty of aggression. Mind if I take a swing?"
"Think you can handle it?"
Volkan clenched his fist and raised it high.
Tsk, that fist is scary, so I'll hold back.
"Volkan...? No way, that Flame Ghost Demon Sword, Unhyeon?"
"The Volcano's Vengeful Spirit lives...!"
People whispered, staring at our group with shocked eyes.
What the hell did he do to earn looks like that?
"Anyone else is fine, but you shouldn't say crap like that."
"......"
"Rishiel-nim, Ermé-nim, Rozante-nim, Soyeonhwa-nim, Saintess Veronica-nim..."
The guesthouse clerk began calling out our group's names one by one.
"And Ja-an's Sword Ghost... Han Yuseong-nim."
"......"
Why attach my epithet only to me?
For Veronica, being the Saintess makes it understandable.
"That guy's Ja-an's Sword Ghost?"
"He exudes an extraordinary aura... looks seriously dangerous."
"Tsk, instead of yapping at me, hide your own aura properly."
"......"
Is it because of the new Overlord gift?
Sometimes, killing intent leaks out unconsciously, pressuring everyone around.
"Looks like you can't handle that power properly."
"Got too strong too fast..."
"Must've jumped levels like crazy. Well, your level-ups were bizarrely fast. Normally, leveling that quick means your soul doesn't grow right, stunting development."
"......You knew and let me?"
"No, I've got words too. Fast level-ups usually mean crap gifts or skills—not great. Have you ever gotten a dud gift?"
"......"
Can't argue there.
I clamped my mouth shut at Volkan's words.
"Normally abnormal. And gains usually ramp up after level 5. Yours were ridiculously huge."
At Volkan's words...
I suddenly recalled the masked man from the Demonic Cult.
[Today I just came to talk... but getting strong so sloppily will bring big trouble soon.]
He'd said that while looking at me and Ermé.
Sloppily strong...
'Means I haven't fully awakened my potential?'
-Yeah, something like that.
'Tell me if there's stuff like that.'
I spoke to the holy sword, sounding a bit sulky.
We'd built some bond—how could you?
'Potential should unlock fully with levels...'
How do you hold back that precious efficiency and exp?
The holy sword and Volkan don't get the human heart.
-No, why despair that much?
'You guys don't get me at all.'
I don't game much, but when I do, I gotta hoover up every scrap of exp to feel right.
That's how you hit insane peaks.
'A game, I could shrug off.'
This is life.
How could you do this to me?
Despair and frustration swirled around me.
-Don't worry. You can fill it later.
'Oh, that's it?'
-More baffling, really. Expect more hardship, yet you take this lying down.
'......Hardship's temporary.'
At most 2-3 years ahead, it'll sort out.
Once hardship ends, a decent happy future awaits.
Just tough it out briefly.
-Even so... you probably won't see much effect.
'Yeah?'
-Your potential expands freakishly. Think body and soul as vessel, gifts as water.
'Ah.'
The holy sword's words sparked a memory.
Early days, low level—I'd felt my vessel full.
Yet the system kept dumping stuff, precarious times.
So no big effect for me.
But I kept the despairing face.
Reason? Simple.
Volkan looked shocked.
"......No way, he despairs that much over it?"
"Volkan-nim, too harsh."
Ermé scolded from beside.
Volkan flinched, sneaking a peek at her.
-Why's he minding Ermé?
'Beats me.'
Come to think, Volkan started calling her only "Golden Witch" lately.
'Something happened.'
-......That's why future-knowers are...
The holy sword clicked its tongue.
I ignored it and stepped forward.
*
Days at the inn, repeated training.
Training boosts level-up gains, no reason not to.
'......Gonna kill me.'
Honestly, one chill day'd be nice.
Got hung up on holy sword and Volkan's words, dove in hard.
Still.
'Today, right?'
Contest finally starts—time to head out.
Outside, crowds already prepped.
"Why so late?"
"Veronica was so excited she waited an hour early and tired out, I bet."
Ermé beamed; Veronica glared wordlessly.
But Ermé wouldn't care.
I headed down silently.
"Straight there?"
"Yeah, nothing much today. Oaths, then banquet to mingle."
Ugh, pure hassle.
Honestly hate going.
But registration today—dragged myself up.
"Let's go."
*
Trailing Ermé to the Alliance hall.
'Freakin' huge.'
Thought it'd be big en route.
Size of a small town pre-airship.
'How wasteful.'
Throngs of people—some auras I couldn't ignore.
'......Stares burn.'
Glares at me stung sharp.
Likely rivals eyeing me.
Auditorium held masses waiting.
'Gotash and Brandil too.'
Seraphi the elf, Silvion the elf.
Burkan too.
Elves, orcs, beastkin—plenty.
For Heroes' Contest, that many candidates.
"Look... that's the genius killer called monster?"
"What monster? Rumors he got toyed by Ja-an's Sword Ghost."
"Beat Gotash of Great Power and Golden Thunder Brandil, though?"
Sudden curiosity hit.
Brandil's Golden Thunder.
'But he used green flames.'
Testing new gift, lost dumbly?
Listening, noticed man on stage.
"......!"
"Ho, spotted him quick?"
"What is that?"
I stared at the man onstage.
Eerie.
Like fused with surroundings—strange, bizarre.
Suddenly, he turned, eyed me.
"Hmm."
He looked, eyes gleaming, nodded.
"That guy digs you too?"
"Who?"
"Martial Alliance Leader. One tier below me."
"Impressive. Spotted me that fast."
Suddenly, he stood before me.
Up close, clearer.
Over 2 meters, hulking frame.
Neat daoist robes, stern-faced man.
More striking...
Those emotionless, chilling eyes.
Seeming devoid of feeling.
'Martial Alliance Leader.'
-Top dog. Volkan overshadows, but no slouch.
While chatting holy sword, he eyed me, nodded.
Crackle.
He stared. Terrifying presence.
Infinite honed killing intent.
Crushing down on me.
'......Damn.'
Body locked rigid.
Mouth parched.
'What the sudden bullshit.'
I squinted, rallied energy.
Creeping.
Half-forced sealed Overlord gift unleashing.
Rumble!!
Slowly devoured his menacing aura aimed at me.
"Ho... What'd you scavenge where?"
Volkan showed intrigue.
But I didn't reply.
Couldn't.
'No, what presence this savage.'
-Obviously. Level 8. Nudge more, level 9 no shock.
'......Why's he screwing with me.'
-Dunno. High-level folks mostly nuts.
Holy sword nonchalant.
Crackle, sizzle!
Auras clashed, tangible now.
Gazes locked on us.
"What, what?!"
"Isn't that Azure Emperor? Why here... no, aura clashing with that junior?"
"Eyes wrong? Seems he's eating Azure Emperor-nim's aura."
Shocked voices; Azure Emperor Leader nodded.
"Contest pointless? Sword category decided. Even Sword Hero might lose to him..."
"Ah, he's not entering swords."
"......?"
Azure Emperor cocked head.
Eyed Volkan.
"Senile already?"
"Surprisingly not. Wanna thrash you, but... his real talent's elsewhere."
Azure Emperor sighed deep, unfazed.
"Failed revenge all those years, went senile... pity junior strayed."
"This bastard?"
"Sheathe sword. Don't wanna die yet."
Saying so, Azure Emperor pitied me deeply.
"Hang in, junior. Old man's senile, but next contest I'll be stronger, block him..."
"Hahaha, hahahahaha!!!"
Volkan burst laughing, incredulous.
"Fine, come on. Settle it today!"
Volkan growled, charged Azure Emperor.
My head throbbed.