Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Sword Soul Liberation
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ㄴ Boy Joy: OK, come at me.
ㄴ Boy Joy: Let me teach you a move.
Jeong-uk's curt reply.
Sword Fairy narrowed her eyes at those strings of text.
Right now, she was kneeling properly with her back straight, just as her friend had taught her in matters of etiquette.
With her natural beauty added to that?
It was already a masterpiece painting.
The crowning touch was her expression.
Sword Fairy was suddenly plagued by worry.
'Too arrogant.'
The words promising to teach her a move?
They weren't uncomfortable because they rang true.
Training to escape her fate as a layer prisoner.
Wasn't that exactly why she was resorting to verbal fencing?
Even if Boy Joy mocked her or made sleazy demands, she would have gritted her teeth and endured.
To reunite with her friends.
To be of help to them.
But ending on a slightly arrogant tone?
It made her want to bow her head in gratitude.
However.
'Someone who throws their weight around doesn't suit verbal fencing.'
Verbal fencing had to be logical.
If you couldn't explain it rationally, it became mere bullying.
Suddenly squeezing out impossible power to block or dodge everything? That didn't hold up.
That must have been why.
Sword Fairy's expression deepened as she traded replies.
💬 Comments
— Sword Fairy🔹
We'll set levels equal. How about reaching layer 9?
— Boy Joy
You're talking about the point where a total newbie hasn't gotten a 10th layer skill card yet? Got it.
— Boy Joy
But I've got this and that, so my stats are pretty high. Think of it as more than double the average climber on the same layer.
More than double?
What kind of nonsense was this?
Did that mean a 9th layer攻略er was at 20th layer climber level?
Both levels and stats?
'Even with [Deficiency], that's a bit...'
Sword Fairy found it hard to accept,
but Jeong-uk was simply stating facts.
The double level-up from High End.
Plus the [Outsider] buff on top.
Jeong-uk's stats were already enough to push through layer 20─if he partied up.
Moreover,
the spectators had no way of grasping what even Sword Fairy herself couldn't accept.
— Anonymous
Declaring bullshit right from the start.
— Anonymous
I’ve got this and that too, almost cleared the tower.
⭐ Top Comment
— Anonymous
That’s kinda real though? Gallery Master is S+攻略er.
— Anonymous
Right, this bastard was actually a corpse dweller.
— Anonymous
↳ Reply
Stop with the cognitive dissonance, old corpse dwellers. Please flex your strength already.
— Anonymous
Gallery Master is a newbie too.
— Brush Flower
True strength... does not flaunt itself...
— Anonymous
Like Queen Harpy?
— Brush Flower
↳ Reply
This lady responds to insults with duels.
— Queen Harpy
?
— Anonymous
No matter what, stats aren't double.
— Anonymous
Double? Fuck, that's solo tower climbing level.
— Boy Joy
Whoops, not double, actually triple lol.
— Newbie Shield User
Gallery Master... be serious...
— Boy Joy
(sob cone)
"Too bad. It's really triple."
Jeong-uk smacked his lips.
Without clones, triple was about right?
Levels double too.
Plus the [Outsider] compound calculation.
And Sword Fairy gave up.
If he was going to bully this much, better in a real fight.
Whether genuine or not intending verbal fencing.
— Sword Fairy🔹
Understood. Triple it is. I already had a UR skill by layer 9 anyway, so I'll gladly use it.
— Boy Joy
Do it.
— Back Alley Maniac
If Gallery Master digs his own grave, upvote lololol.
— Anonymous
(instant death cone)
Reconnaissance ends here.
Sword Fairy hammered out her response like lightning.
In verbal fencing, even seconds spent replying could decide victory or defeat.
— Sword Fairy🔹
To test stats, aiming for weapon with [Gale Slash].
— Boy Joy
All my weapons are junk, hate weapon clashes. Parries to prevent stat check and closes distance.
— Sword Fairy🔹
My sword is 2 feet 4 inches, so step back one and big check.
— Boy Joy
?
— Boy Joy
How many cm is that fuck.
— Boy Joy
Fine. 70cm is longer than my blade, so even with arm length, won't reach. Throws left sword, pulls right sword and approaches.
— Sword Fairy🔹
Blocks throw and blocks the second launch from skill too.
— Boy Joy
Gelrn's master... your disciple is pissed...
— Boy Joy
Why post my skills in the gallery.
— Sword Fairy🔹
You posted it first, Gallery Master.
— Sword Fairy🔹
Even if you didn't know, mana gathers and everyone figures it out.
— Sword Fairy🔹
Can detect it's a launch skill and the angle too.
— Boy Joy
For real? Gotta practice later.
'This is more fun than I thought.'
Jeong-uk shifted his sitting position, utterly engrossed.
It felt just like verbal Go, playing with words.
Though he'd never played Go before.
'Feels similar to bookkeeping.'
You could keep books even without cash in hand.
Just like self-employed folks see profit once they subtract rent, tally outgoing and incoming money.
Verbal fencing felt the same.
Damage I take.
Damage I deal to the enemy.
Give what must be given, take what's to be taken, and the result emerges.
That was why.
Jeong-uk seriously admitted his disadvantage.
— Boy Joy
Fired bounced sword with [Swift], blocked so startled. Attack slightly delayed. [Decapitation] to torso from swordless side.
— Newbie Shield User
??????
— Anonymous
How the hell does a newbie have [Decapitation] skill.
— Anonymous
What the fuck was this guy doing before the tower.
— Sword Fairy🔹
Twists body while charging skill and guards.
— Boy Joy
Second [Swift] on sword while clashing.
— Sword Fairy🔹
Absorbs impact with sword, guards with breastplate.
When had it started?
Sword Fairy no longer spared a glance at the spectators' comments.
Just one more second.
She was busy responding faster to her opponent's prowess.
Clang-!
In Jeong-uk's mind, sword met sword.
His defense wasn't late, surprised by the failed ambush.
Manageable.
The moment he thought that, the secondary acceleration triggered.
'[Swift] with the sword in hand?'
Right after using [Decapitation] skill, that's possible?
Shocked, but undeniable.
Opponent had high agility and mana control.
He'd seen it in the gallery, already acknowledged fact.
His failure to anticipate was the mistake.
In other words, unexpected attack.
The glancing sword struck Sword Fairy's torso hard.
'But armor won't be pierced.'
Jeong-uk clicked his tongue.
Stats multiple or not, still low layers.
Swords made by smashing orc glaives.
Even if her breastplate was 0-layer level, impenetrable.
But [Swift] impact.
Thin blade, but shock cracked ribs.
Jeong-uk saw Sword Fairy grit her teeth.
Reply came fast.
— Sword Fairy🔹
Endure and use charged skill.
— Boy Joy
OK, acknowledged. If you sensed stat gap blocking my throw, you'd brace lower body for clash too.
— Boy Joy
What skill? Attack skill?
— Sword Fairy🔹
[Basic Sword Aura] that creates mana blade over blade. Concentrate at tip, length +2 inches.
— Boy Joy
Tsk.
— Boy Joy
Defend with sword too slow, tried evade back but failed.
— Boy Joy
Short retreat distance, chest slashed. Take the hit, roll back with landing technique.
Returned one blow.
Blood spraying, Jeong-uk rolls back.
But prolonging favors her superior stats, she'll lose.
Rib fracture burdensome too.
In other words.
'Time to settle it here.'
Sword Fairy immediately charged her finisher.
Ultimate technique stressing the weapon.
Short windup, max power attack skill.
'[Holy Sword Liberation].'
UR skill owned since before drifting to the tower.
The power that made Iris the Sword Fairy.
Kiiiiing-!
Mana torrent surges.
Jeong-uk, sensing crisis, only charges forward.
Or secondary throw via [Swift].
But either way, Sword Fairy faster.
Incoming frontal throw?
[Holy Sword Liberation] is long-range slash.
Crush counter, bisect Jeong-uk.
'[Swift] skill weakness identified. My [Holy Sword Liberation] handles it no problem.'
That skill's trajectory obvious at high speed.
Can't bypass [Holy Sword Liberation]'s torrent.
Fast, versatile, but linear.
Typical expert-only skill.
Technique relying entirely on Jeong-uk's judgment.
Bizarru's ultimate, first mentor.
Similar to iron rainstorm.
Dark Rain Sword Blanc Shurt.
Good match with its base dual-wield style.
'...Huh?'
However.
An instant.
A premonition grazing Sword Fairy's spine.
Dual swords.
Dual wield.
In other words, Jeong-uk had two blades.
Which means.
'Where's the first thrown sword?'
One short.
The left sword forgotten while blocking initially.
Already recovered with [Swift]?
No way.
Jeong-uk wouldn't omit mentioning recovery.
In this brief bout, that much trust built.
And.
If deliberately not recovering the bounced sword.
'Left sword still behind me──?!'
— Boy Joy
[Swift] on first thrown sword.
Too late.
From behind, sword faster than arrow flies in.
And this ambush lands.
Jeong-uk knew from experience.
"Judgment dulls with big techniques."
Sensing focuses on activating skill.
Jeong-uk nearly got done in by goblin archers after firing 60 [Swift]s.
That hollow self-loathing still fresh.
'But [Swift] can't pierce greaves.'
Then vital spots only.
Sword Fairy instinctively hunched upper body low.
Had to dodge spine stab.
However.
Can't evade next from unstable posture.
— Boy Joy
Same timing, right sword throw too. Hits thin spot on lower body anywhere.
-Thud!
Skill-less throw embeds in leg.
Pure strength throw.
No mana amid dulled sensing.
Inevitable calculated hit.
Iris recoiled in shock.
'Aimed for leg? Read I'd tilt head back?!'
Then already recovered the missed left sword.
Had to.
Jeong-uk coming for neck next.
Lagging side dies.
Both hurl bodies diagonally at once.
— Boy Joy
Recover missed sword while [Decapitation].
— Sword Fairy🔹
[Holy Sword Liberation] annihilates frontal 180 degrees.
Charging Jeong-uk clashes with countering Sword Fairy.
No 0.1s gap, pure head-on.
Last of the last, mutual destruction.
Iris lamented that fact.
'...My loss.'
[Holy Sword Liberation] is swordsmanship.
No swing, no slash.
But protecting neck hunched her body.
Stand and swing now?
Too slow.
Jeong-uk's blade hits first.
-Slash!
Focused-state illusion of Jeong-uk moved.
Sword Fairy Iris's full-power upward slash.
Blade about to emit mana brilliance.
Jeong-uk's sword struck Iris's armor.
Clang-!!
Sparks fly, metal tears.
No means for Iris to endure.
Perfect conclusion.
As Iris felt even refreshing defeat.
— Boy Joy
Tch.
— Boy Joy
I lost. GG.
Not a hint,
truly incomprehensible replies filled her vision.
Iris muttered blankly.
"...Lost?"
Lost?
To whom, by who?
"You, to me?"
Too shocked to reply.
Sword Fairy flushed after gaping long.
From rage.
"You messing with me right now?!"
Years climbing tower.
Undoubtedly, most humiliating victory.
— Sword Fairy🔹
This joke is really unpleasant. There's a line to teasing people.
— Boy Joy
What teasing fuck, I said I lost.
— Boy Joy
Fuck, what do during 3-day ban.
— Anonymous
What you talking about. Gallery Master you won.
— Brush Flower
Hmm...
— Queen Harpy
Admitting the 3x stats was a lie, right? If embarrassed facing Sword Fairy and recalling shame, I'll accept it!
Iris's furious replies.
Various words from top攻略ers.
Boy Joy answered none.
What to do.
Less hardened folks could only be baffled.
— Back Alley Maniac
What? What? What?
— Arm Disabled
Sword Fairy mad thinking she lost herself?
— Newbie Shield User
Nah, pissed you could've won but said you lost.
— Great Sorcerer Master
Huh? Why's that reason to rage?
— Newbie Shield User
↳ Reply
Dunno.
— Raid Leader
More importantly, Gallery Master using trash weapons for real? Lmao.
— 3-Year Earless
I wouldn't give good weapons to that guy either.
— Raid Leader
↳ Reply
Guy who beats Sword Fairy in keyboard duel?
— 3-Year Earless
Crazy bastard who throws whatever he's holding first, why trust with good gear;;
— Raid Leader
Oh.
Refresh.
Refresh.
Refresh.
Iris hammered refresh dozens of times, but no Boy Joy reply.
Tears welling from frustration.
"What is it! What's so dissatisfying, just say it straight!"
Scared he'd suggest another verbal duel?
Brushing off with 'fine you win'?
"Ha..."
How long kowtowing in complaint thread.
As gallery folk tired of no Jeong-uk return left.
— Boy Joy
Sorry.
— Boy Joy
Sudden climb urge, went to tower, missed replies.
Reply to final refresh!
Iris's eyes widened.
'Climb? Went to tower? Suddenly why?'
No.
Didn't matter.
Iris asked Jeong-uk with biting intent.
— Sword Fairy🔹
Answer please. Why do you say you lost?
— Boy Joy
?
— Boy Joy
Why. Can't pierce your armor with my attack skills.
"Ah."
Such simple miscalculation?
Iris felt anger subside.
'Overestimated my armor defense.'
Makes sense.
From verbal fencing, Boy Joy seemed armorless.
'Mistook for 0-layer gear level.'
Thought his attacks blocked then.
Iris meant to correct the mistake.
Precisely, intended to.
— Boy Joy
[Holy Sword Liberation] skill mana-izes gear to draw out max potential, right?
— Boy Joy
That on armor won't pierce.
— Boy Joy
Even normal armor hard to pierce.
"………………?"
Again, utterly incomprehensible reply.
What nonsense?
What's armor got to do with [Holy Sword Liberation]?
Tilting head, Sword Fairy
"………………?!"
Suddenly realized, froze.
Had to.
— Sword Fairy🔹
Wait a sec. What where how?
— Sword Fairy🔹
[Holy Sword Liberation] applicable to non-sword gear too?!
What?
Use [Holy Sword Liberation] where?
On armor?
"Using on armor how's that 'Holy Sword' liberation... Ah, that's not the point?!"
Non-swords draw potential too.
Possible?
Beyond swordsmanship application?
'What's mana-izing gear?!'
What does drawing function mean!
Why only you know!
Iris anxious.
Rightly so.
'[Holy Sword Liberation] not just overdrive weapon power?!'
UR skill no less.
Strongest existing class!
Who'd think.
Who'd imagine.
UR skill has higher realm!
'...Impossible.'
Impossible, but Iris shut mouth.
Didn't doubt Jeong-uk's skill.
What if.
[Holy Sword Liberation] truly has next realm?
'Usable on armor too.'
Drawing gear function.
If applies to armor.
'...Can win.'
Against nest-in-return-gate powerhouse.
This layer lord blocking Sword Fairy Iris Ruskus's return.
100% win.
'Back to Yo-wol's side...!'
Even etc. gallery honored her,
friend using Brush Flower (Iris) nick.
攻略team #1 leader.
Pseudo-Dragon Yo-wol.
Shoulder-to-shoulder fight again!
"Hic...!"
Once-abandoned dream within grasp.
How endure without madness.
Happier than [Gift Cone] from Gallery Master.
Mages no good.
World has swordmen's soul only they share!
— Sword Fairy🔹
What should I do how? How to reach that realm?
— Sword Fairy🔹
Boy Joy, please.
— Sword Fairy🔹
Just training method please! Whatever you say, I'll do!
Iris prostrated on floor in seiza.
Just busy gallerizing,
but looked like bowing to Jeong-uk.
However.
— Boy Joy
Thought Sword Fairy using holy sword meant fancy blade only,
— Boy Joy
Handles all DPS and tank solo.
— Boy Joy
Newbie off to grind climb, can't reply GG.
"...Huh?"
Complaint thread remnant Boy Joy was afterimage.
Jeong-uk long gone.
Scribbled replies and vanished.
Before Iris's begging.
Makes sense.
⚔ SKILL ACQUIRED ⚔
[Sword Soul Liberation (SR)]
New technique Sword Fairy taught(?).
Busy internalizing the revelation.
"Mine's just SR?"
High End layer 8 orc great warrior rolling dead.
Jeong-uk sighed overlooking corpse.
"Long way to UR."
Needs more polish.
Chasing veterans exhausting.
While Iris wailed madly, chased by monsters, roamed seeking Gallery Master to lift Boy Joy ban.
Jeong-uk tossed broken sword, smirked faintly.
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