Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Absolute Ruler of Darkness (1)
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She had seen an Execution Sword before.
...To be more precise, the Absolute Ruler of Darkness had once laid eyes on the real "Execution Sword."
Unlike the one she had originally received as a gift from him, this true weapon possessed a power so overwhelming that merely holding it could bridge the vast gap in their realms of strength.
And compared to that genuine Execution Sword, the one the Absolute Ruler of Darkness had received from him was realistically far inferior in many ways.
Of course, that didn't mean she didn't cherish the Execution Sword he had given her.
On the contrary, even though she knew full well that the sword he gifted her was leagues below the ones held by other heroes in terms of value, she treasured it all the more.
And that was because he had crafted it himself specifically for her from the start.
Thus, to the Absolute Ruler of Darkness, despite its lesser worth, the Execution Sword he gifted her was greater and more precious than any other.
That was why she could tell.
'This one, definitely—'
The Execution Sword now in her hand was undoubtedly hers.
As that realization hit her clearly, a whirlwind of thoughts flashed through the Absolute Ruler of Darkness's mind.
For her, this situation was utterly incomprehensible.
After all, the Execution Sword she once possessed had been destroyed due to her own idiotic mistake when he left.
So, after staring at it with trembling eyes for a while, the Absolute Ruler of Darkness finally turned her gaze toward the lord's castle of Rapengan Territory, where its lord resided.
"..."
In truth, she wanted nothing more than to storm the lord's castle right then and there.
To find out who had put this Execution Sword up for auction and demand answers from whoever consigned it.
But her thoughts didn't translate into action.
As far as she knew, the lord of Rapengan Territory was someone who absolutely protected the anonymity of consignors to this grand auction house.
Even if she barged in and threatened him, she wouldn't get any information.
Rapengan Territory had grown this modest commercial fief into a massive powerhouse precisely because of that code of honor.
However, knowing that didn't quell her curiosity or doubts.
"..."
So she silently stared at Rapengan's lord's castle for a long time.
Recently, a peculiar rumor had been circulating among mercenaries and adventurers.
"...So, you're saying that in two days, Lartania's lord will open the labyrinth gate?"
"That's right."
"Is that for real?"
"Seems like it."
"Heh, that's something."
"What about you? Heading to Lartania?"
"Why wouldn't I? Only a fool would pass up a labyrinth opening. I'm going right now...!"
It was a rumor about Lartania Territory: that its lord was opening the labyrinth.
"Hm, honestly, I can't believe it. Why would Lartania even open their labyrinth?"
"I thought the same. Even if they did, what's in it for them?"
"I heard it's legal to enter, kill monsters, and take magic stones out, but they tax the stones you bring."
"Tax?"
"Since they're territory resources."
"I heard that too—something like 40%."
"40%?... Not just keeping 40%, but only paying 40%?"
"Exactly."
"Damn, that sounds insanely profitable?? We could earn several times more than from escorting or subjugating... No matter how I look at it, the math checks out too perfectly."
"Honestly, I agree."
Of course, most mercenaries viewed the rumor with skepticism, deeming it far too good to be true.
Even with a 40% tax, it was still an incredibly lucrative deal for mercenaries and adventurers.
Mercenaries, well aware that the world never turned out quite so favorably, doubted it.
"Still, it sounds too good. Maybe we should check it out ourselves."
"Perfect timing—I had nothing else going on."
"I'll tag along."
In the end, mercenaries and adventurers were drawn to money like moths to a flame.
Thus, they began flocking to Lartania upon hearing the spreading rumor.
And about two days later, on the day Lartania's lord was set to open the labyrinth—
Kim Hyunwoo had just confirmed that Territory Development had surpassed 300 when he turned his gaze to the mercenaries swarming the area in droves.
"My lord."
At the voice calling out, Kim Hyunwoo turned to see Elena standing there.
"Ah, Elena."
"We've deployed soldiers to the first floor as you intended, and all the mercenaries seem to have gathered. Is everything all right?"
Elena spoke in the lord's office, her expression tinged with unease.
Her anxiety was understandable.
To her, unaware of the full picture, Kim Hyunwoo's actions must have seemed downright bizarre.
From her perspective, he was essentially handing out the territory's most valuable resource to mercenaries for free.
'Of course, with all these mercenaries filling the territory, commerce and inns are booming.'
But that alone hardly justified squandering such precious resources—it was only natural to think so, and Elena wasn't wrong.
Yet Kim Hyunwoo could smile confidently because he had a way.
A method to continuously summon monsters that only appeared periodically in other territories.
He pulled up a window in front of the worried Elena.
It was Arteil's cash shop window, activated by Loria.
In other words, the devilish cash shop brimming with the BM he had grown utterly sick of over a decade appeared before him.
"Eugh."
"Pardon?"
"No, nothing."
Upon opening the cash shop, the flood of gift lists and prices triggered an involuntary groan from decade-old PTSD, but Kim Hyunwoo brushed off Elena's concern and navigated the window with familiarity.
Soon enough.
'Found it.'
He located it.
Raise Heroes in Your Labyrinth Package! Raise heroes in your labyrinth! Monsters will endlessly respawn, and your heroes will grow just as swiftly!
[Monster population remains constant from purchase!]
[+20% EXP from labyrinth hunts / -20% Magic Stone drop rate]
[20-Day Pass] [5,000 Red Stones]
[30-Day Pass] [7,000 Red Stones]
The key package that would turn his labyrinth into a proper monster city.
And then.
Without hesitation, Kim Hyunwoo bought the Raise Heroes in Your Labyrinth Package.
"Alright, let's head to the plaza."
Smiling, he stepped out to the plaza with Elena.
By the time Kim Hyunwoo made his way to the plaza proper,
the Absolute Ruler of Darkness—who had returned to Kalan Kingdom alongside the Five Swords of Kalan waiting outside the territory—stared intently at the Execution Sword before stowing it away in her darkness.
She still didn't know why an Execution Sword that looked exactly like hers had been consigned there.
Nor had she identified the consigner, leaving her mind in turmoil.
However.
She decided not to dwell on it any longer.
What mattered to her now wasn't how this sword appeared, but that obtaining it allowed her to return to him.
That had been her sole priority from the beginning.
...The original Absolute Ruler of Darkness would have pursued even the tiniest mystery to the end, but having fulfilled all conditions to meet Kim Hyunwoo, she had no desire to look elsewhere.
More precisely, she didn't want to waste another moment delaying their reunion.
Thus, she deliberately averted her eyes from how the sword ended up there.
She also resolved to abandon the thought that it was hers.
She had seen imitations countless times—crafted to mimic her sword perfectly in appearance but lacking in performance.
Likewise, since hers had shattered and vanished, she concluded this one was merely another such imitation.
Rather than calmly uncovering the truth, the Absolute Ruler of Darkness—eager to meet Kim Hyunwoo—yielded to the impatience filling her heart.
'He definitely said he'd miss me...!'
"Master, are we departing immediately...?"
"Yes."
Loriell looked flustered at her master's curt reply.
Having served as her disciple for years, Loriell had never seen her this impatient.
The master she knew always judged matters with cool precision, so this rattled her.
But her master had already made up her mind.
"I shall head to Lartania Territory."
Gathering all the gifts she'd collected thus far, she set off for Lartania.