Chapter 135
Chapter 135
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: 33. One Man Army (8)
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「Your national title, Pyeonggang First Sword, has been stolen!」
“Pyeonggang's gone too.”
At the notification that North Korea's asset, the Pyeonggang First Sword title, had been stolen, the tall man spoke in a flat tone.
This man's name was Kim Jeong-tae02.
He was the First Sword of Hamheung, one of North Korea's major cities.
In the North, a natural height of around two meters was rare, so it had been sculpted with karma—and that alone was Kim Jeong-tae's signature.
It meant he'd slain enough mutants to invest karma into his body like that.
And so.
“These fools keep screwing things up.”
Even Hamnam First Sword, who was here with him, couldn't hold his ground properly next to Kim Jeong-tae.
Hamnam—that is, South Hamgyong Province—included the greater Hamheung region, and yet.
“Looks like he's no ordinary guy.”
This time, Goksan First Sword Lee Chung-woo09 chimed in.
The Goksan he held was a sub-region of Hwanghae Province.
The thief from South Korea visible in the distance also held Hwanghae First Sword, so in a way, this was an act of rebellion against a superior.
“No ordinary guy or not, he's still human. Gang up on him, and he'll die.”
Finally, Pyeongnam First Sword Go Jeon-hoon01 summed up the situation with a savage line.
That's right.
No matter how skilled in combat, this world's nature imposed limits on getting stronger.
That Jeong Yeong-woo07 guy hadn't swallowed every mutant in South Korea single-handedly.
Therefore.
‘One-on-one, he can win streak after streak. Sure, taking down Hwanghae is impressive. Gotta give him that.’
But if the numbers were overwhelmingly different, things would change.
“Sinuiju hasn't shown up yet?”
When Go Jeon-hoon turned north and asked, the other First Swords shook their heads.
No word yet.
“Hmm.”
Pyeongnam Province's king, Go Jeon-hoon, let out a groan.
Sinuiju First Sword's prowess, guarding the border with China, was the talk of the town all the way to Pyongyang.
That's why he'd been inwardly thrilled to hear Sinuiju would join this battle.
It'd bolster their forces, but more than that, he was curious just how sharp the sword skills would be from someone who'd survived the Chinese borderlands.
‘We've got two greater-region titles right here. No way we lose, but we absolutely can't.’
If by some chance they lost this battle, that South Korean thief would become the inaugural Joseon First Sword—a nightmare scenario.
So the smart move was to strike at full strength.
They would've charged already if it was just Jeong Yeong-woo07, but South Korea seemed to have brought some backup.
“…….”
As Go Jeon-hoon stroked his chin and gazed down at the South Korean lines, Hamheung First Sword Kim Jeong-tae drew his blade and spoke.
Shing!
“Then how about I buy us some time? Get a read on their vibe too.”
“…You sure? If anything goes wrong.”
Go Jeon-hoon voiced his concern, but in truth, they had no choice.
Fweee!
The nationwide thief, Jeong Yeong-woo07, had suddenly started firing arrows.
* * *
‘This guy's got no fear at all…?’
Seocho First Sword Choi Nam-hee stared at Yeong-woo's back with a look of utter disbelief.
Creak!
Not a hint of hesitation as he nocked another arrow.
Fweee!
Yeong-woo released the string, and another arrow shot out just like before, exploding in purple light over the northern lines.
Boom!
In response, the enraged North Korean First Swords came charging down the hill.
The war had truly begun.
“I-Is this okay? Starting right away like this?”
Songpa First Sword Oh Yeon-hee gaped at Yeong-woo.
They'd come all this way to help this madman, and now battle had erupted before they could even assess.
Yeong-woo glanced back and said.
“Thanks, everyone.”
A very belated greeting.
Then he answered Oh Yeon-hee's question.
“There must be a reason they haven't charged despite us having two allies here. Waiting for reinforcements or something.”
The northern 'allies' Yeong-woo mentioned were Anak and Wonsan First Sword, still clinging to life.
“No point sitting around drinking tea amicably… Better to start the fight before they form up.”
“No, the reason things soured with them is actually…….”
Choi Nam-hee started to object but shut her mouth.
Spilled milk anyway, and as Yeong-woo said, talks with North Korea looked impossible now.
“Spread out!”
『Pyeongnam First Sword』
The North Koreans, on Pyeongnam First Sword's orders, scattered wide and closed the encirclement from all sides. Kim Young-heum twitched his long whiskers at the sight.
「What're you standing around for? Not breaking through the center?」
Gyeongbuk, Songpa, Seocho, and Goyang First Swords all stared at him with wide eyes.
For a moment, they'd forgotten.
That a fourth-day mutant from Paju was still alive and breathing right here.
“W-Wait, he's not a 'friend'?”
Oh Yeon-hee belatedly realized and shrieked.
Up till now, she'd thought the white tiger before her was just another of Yeong-woo's 'friends.'
But Kim Young-heum ignored the First Swords pointing blades at him and jabbed a thick paw toward the northern formation.
「You've never fought in formation, have you? Get encircled like this, your rear gets exposed, and you're all dead.」
Right now, Kim Young-heum was explaining basic infantry tactics.
「That guy's still the strongest here, right? Looks it from the gear alone.」
As Kim Young-heum nodded toward Yeong-woo, the others unconsciously nodded too.
「Then you charge the center and deal with that Pyeongnam guy first.」
By then, the pissed-off North Korean First Swords were closing in fast, and a desperate Oh Yeon-hee asked the tiger.
“What about the rest?”
The white tiger, Kim Young-heum, stretched out his front paws and yawned hugely.
「West side's mine alone. Handle the rest yourselves.」
“Yes, sir! General!”
Goyang First Sword scrambled to grab her weapons.
Meanwhile, Oh Yeon-hee and Choi Nam-hee shot Yeong-woo disbelieving looks.
Was this really okay?
But the boldest move here had come from Yeong-woo himself.
Cooperating with mutants wasn't all that shocking for him.
“First time meeting, but please take care of us. General… sir.”
With Yeong-woo's line, the provisional anti-North coalition was set. Watching it all, Anak—Wonsan First Sword—made his choice.
“Run!”
He bolted toward the now-close North Korean main force.
Thud!
Each a top fighter from their district, their movements were lightning-quick, but luck wasn't on Anak First Sword's side.
The closest one to him was none other than Yeong-woo.
“Wait up!”
Seeing the foe flee, Yeong-woo instantly drew his black sword and swung.
Swoooosh!
The blade extended to six meters in a flash, carving the air and unfurling a massive wedge pattern as Anak's head tumbled.
「Your national title, Anak First Sword, has been stolen!」
The North Korean asset draining away right before their eyes.
“You fuck!”
“That bastard!”
The already furious North Korean First Swords' faces twisted savagely, and by now the distance between sides had shrunk to a dozen meters.
They were at the point where one sword thrust would clash.
[Doggo] “Headhunter”
<Mission> Cut off 4/7 First Sword heads.
<Reward> 7 million karma
<Special> In this mission, you must disclose Doggo's support.
‘Three more.’
Yeong-woo checked the fast-progressing 'Headhunter' status, then shifted his gaze to the encirclement's center as General Kim Young-heum ordered.
There stood the man who'd been directing the northern main force: 'Pyeongnam First Sword.'
『Pyeongnam First Sword』
Pyeongnam First Sword, Go Jeon-hoon01.
As his ID number 01 suggested, his tough nature showed plainly on his face.
‘Some serious presence.’
As Yeong-woo admired from above, Go Jeon-hoon glared up and ground his teeth.
“…Fuck.”
Up close, the opponent's height was ridiculous.
Go Jeon-hoon's was 171 cm.
Tall for North Korea, where men averaged in the 160s—but not here.
Even the woman standing tall with a glaive over there dwarfed him.
“…….”
As Go Jeon-hoon lost the confidence he'd had atop the hill, Yeong-woo spoke first.
“Isn't Pyongyang First Sword the strongest in North Korea? Not seeing him today.”
Pure curiosity, but to Go Jeon-hoon, it was provocation.
“Pyongyang's prepping for bigger problems. We're plenty for you.”
“Oh, because of Kim Jong-un?”
“Shut up and fight, asshole!”
Thud!
Pyeongnam First Sword charged with blue killing intent.
「Sense stat temporarily boosted from 1,400 to 2,516.」
Pyeongnam First Sword Go Jeon-hoon's sense was around two thousand.
‘Power build, maybe.’
As Yeong-woo thought that, Go Jeon-hoon yanked shining metal from his waist in quick succession.
Shing!
Short-bladed twin swords, matching in design—clearly a matched set.
‘Main weapon despite the short reach? Must be special.’
Even on a solo win streak, Yeong-woo couldn't gamble with allies around.
Needed to win fast and clean.
So Yeong-woo.
Thud!
Leaped back briefly and nocked an arrow.
Creak!
“You mad bastard!”
Go Jeon-hoon bulged his eyes, never imagining a bow at this range—and almost simultaneously.
Fweet!
Yeong-woo's stealth arrow slammed Go Jeon-hoon's face and exploded.
Boom!
But against Yeong-woo's expectations, the foe didn't fly back or shatter weapons.
Because.
Clang.
In that instant, Go Jeon-hoon's crossed twin swords formed an X-shield.
‘Whoa, shield mode too?’
Stunned by the novel weapon function, Yeong-woo blinked—meanwhile, Go Jeon-hoon surged with vicious rapid thrusts.
Stab!
Insanely fast, like a sewing machine needle.
But Yeong-woo had 'gear advantage' making him near-invincible up close.
「Golden Oath」 - Legendary Chestplate
【Enemy attack power reduced by 50%.】
「Self-Generation」 - Mutant Camo
【No need to eat to survive.】
【Energy self-generates.】
【All physical damage reduced】
In a split second, Yeong-woo half-drew 'Dragon's Legacy' with his right hand to block the thrust.
Clang!
The broad Dragon's Legacy blade made a fine shield, but the huge height gap meant the thrust aimed at Yeong-woo's gut.
In short, the short height alone had blocked it.
“You fucking dog!”
Veteran swordsman Go Jeon-hoon knew and closed in without yielding.
Thud!
Then.
Boom!
A heavy presence suddenly loomed over his head.
「Vanguard」 - Relic Helmet
【This helmet cannot be damaged.】
Crack!
Yeong-woo headbutted with 'Vanguard.'
“Gah!”
Even in grim North Korea, no First Sword fought like this—Go Jeon-hoon panicked hard.
Even so.
‘L-Lose and we're fucked. Endgame!’
As a expedition general for his nation, he showed near-divine grit.
Forehead half-smashed, 'Pain Infliction' kicking in, he barely pried one eyelid open.
Then.
Boom!
Sudden flames filled his vision.
「Self-Destruct」 - Mutant Bracelet
【Causes strong explosion.】
【Durability +300.】
Kim Young-heum, solo-handling the west flank, finally turned toward Yeong-woo in exasperation.
「That guy's… a wizard?」