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SSS-Class Suicide Hunter (Web Novel) - Chapter 295: Sword Emperor’s Return (3)
Chapter 295: Sword Emperor’s Return (3)
This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml
Translator/Editor: Ryuu
“Who are you... What the hell are you?”
The [Assistant Writer], a disciple of Hamusutra, abruptly asked.
“Apart from the fact that the Great Librarian of All Knowledge chose someone... What was that insane aura just now? A skill? How did you learn such a skill?”
“I'm just a newbie who arrived on the 50th floor yesterday.”
“Don’t lie to me. There’s no way a newbie like you exists in this world.”
“All groups are desperately looking for experienced newbies like me.”
The Assistant Writer's face twisted like a sweet potato.
I shrugged my shoulders.
“Let’s get out of here first. I’ve been feeling a chill on the back of my neck. Seems like some annoying guys are following us.”
“...Alright.”
The Assistant Writer reluctantly swallowed her words. She seemed to be holding back from asking various questions due to the situation.
The other party members also hurriedly moved their feet.
-Uooooh! Guooo!
The beasts poured out through the escape route we had just crawled out of which was a hole I had made.
The real chase had just begun.
“Ahhh!”
“R-Run…! Hurry!”
The disciples screamed. They were running so hard that they seemed unable to properly scream. Perhaps their physical strength had dropped considerably from being imprisoned for a long time.
“What a shame.”
I clicked my tongue in sympathy.
“Come here. I’ll help you. How do you plan to survive in this harsh world with that kind of stamina?”
“Y-Yes?”
I didn't wait for a response. Instead, I grabbed the nape of one of the disciples. I lifted him up effortlessly.
It wasn't difficult. A life of imprisonment takes away various things from a person. Those who lost their dignity over a long period were that much lighter.
“Uh? Eh?”
“Relax. Don’t you understand? If you tense up, you’ll get hurt unnecessarily.”
"Uh, uhm......."
“Shut your mouth so you don’t bite your tongue.”
I put more strength into my right arm as I continued to run.
“Hrmpf!”
And then, I threw him.
“Eh?”
I literally threw him.
Like a shot put athlete in the Olympics.
I threw the disciple I had lifted with my right hand, wrapping him in an aura barrier, forward.
“----Ah."
The disciple flew. In the slow, extended time. Above all, in the air.
Like an elegant flamingo dancing over a zoo lake.
The disciple flailed his arms and legs in desperation, but as in life, he grasped nothing but thin air. All that existed were nitrogen and oxygen.
“Eeeyyiiiiiieeeek!?”
And so, one of the most novel screams I've ever heard in my life existed there too.
I clicked my tongue.
“I told you to shut your mouth, and yet you scream like that.”
Koooom!
The disciple flew splendidly and crash-landed. Some might call it a crash rather than a landing, but in the grand scheme of life, there was no significant difference between the two.
“Now, let’s move on to the next one.”
“Huh?”
I grabbed the nape of another disciple. It was simple. The disciples were dumbfounded, looking up at the sky as their comrade performed his flamingo act, unable to escape my grasp.
“It’s dangerous, so shut your mouth.”
“Huh? ……Yes?”
“Hrmmmpf!”
“Ahh, ack, haa, aaaaahhhhhhh!?”
What followed was a repeat performance.
I picked the weakened disciples one by one and threw them far away. Then I ran up to them, sprawled on the ground, and threw them again.
“S-Save me... please save us…!”
“This is all for you to survive.”
Thanks to this, the disciples, despite their lack of strength, could sit still and move quickly. The beasts couldn't keep up with our speed and gradually fell further behind.
It was a truly divine dribble.
[‘The Lonely Seeker’ is at a loss for words at your actions.]
[‘The Eyes Dwelling in the Labyrinth’ realizes you are out of your mind.]
[‘The Incarnation of Love and Lust’ has taken a liking to you from now on.]
Local broadcasting is so noisy.
-Ah, ah! Mic test! Mic test!
How far had we run? Finally, a familiar voice came from the direction of the tower.
It was the spokeswoman of the tower who publicly tortured the disciples of Hamusutra yesterday.
-What the hell, who are you?
The spokeswoman was fuming. Her voice came directly to me through telepathy. I was also ready to reply via telepathy.
-What kind of crazy bastard are you? Can’t you hear meee?
“Good day. You're working hard, miss. The weather is nice today.”
-You really are crazy, huh!?
She was talking to herself too much.
-Do you know who you're messing with? Eh? Eh?
“Well, I don't know much since you haven't introduced yourself. Don’t you think introductions are a very important part of etiquette in a world where people live?”
-Where did this insane lunatic come from... We are the tower! The tower! We have the power of Millennium Magic! The supreme tower! The force that monopolizes this great Monopolized Poisonous City on the 50th floor!
So the city's name was Monopolized Poisonous City.
“That’s right. Nice to meet you!”
-Can’t you return them right now!?
“Ah, sorry, but that seems a bit difficult... I listened to your broadcast yesterday. It seemed a bit too much. Life is precious even if we live well together, so why bother the kind disciples of Hamusutra? Seeing that, I felt sorry and am helping them escape.”
-Oh, wow. Really, such a crazy guy.
The spokeswoman kicked something furiously, the sound transmitted through telepathy.
In the midst of provoking the other party appropriately, I continuously searched for a way to escape. I was trying to buy as much time as possible.
If we return to our tower like this, we could easily escape.
‘But most likely, we’d be caught.’
I shook my head.
The Magic Towers have been reigning over this city for more than 1000 years. Even if they get beaten, they would chase us to the end for revenge.
Of course, to counter the invasion of other worlds, the Sword Saint and the Black Dragon Witch would be fully prepared, but still, it was best to avoid unnecessary battles as much as possible.
-Which Constellation's lackey are you? Eh? Which one?
“I don’t serve any Constellation. If I have to say, I always carry my beloved in my heart.”
-Ah! Catch that bastard and beat the crap out of him! Anyone will do, just please!
That's when it happened.
“...Over there.”
The Assistant Writer, who had been keeping up with me, spoke next to me. While all the other disciples had regressed to flamingos, only the Assistant Writer was able to run on her own feet, keeping up with my pace.
“It doesn’t matter which world you're from, it's dangerous to run there. Not everyone from that world can be as strong as you.”
“I was just thinking the same thing.”
“There is a secret hideout where our comrades are hiding. I'll guide you there....It’s a place we’re not supposed to reveal to outsiders, but since you’re someone who received that person's message.”
The Assistant Writer muttered.
“Gray, embrace us.”
At that moment, the voice of the tower echoed in my head.
[A certain skill affects you.]
I tilted my head. I couldn’t feel any effect with my senses.
However, it seemed different from the perspective of others, as the spokeswoman of the tower immediately became enraged.
-Damn it! Assistant Writer! How dare you do such a shoddy trick...!
The telepathy changed. Until just now, the telepathy that was directly hitting me, now started to ring from the sky instead of my head.
I wondered what was happening.
“It’s a skill that hides the presence of aura.”
The Assistant Writer explained from beside me.
“The Magic Tower identifies people by their aura to send telepathy. Aura is like a person's fingerprint... From now on, even the Constellations won’t be able to talk to us.”
“Interesting.”
Indeed, the Constellations who had been noisily broadcasting in the local channel also suddenly fell silent.
In short, the Assistant Writer had activated a kind of [Stealth] skill.
“But it can’t hide our physical presence... Thank you. I could use this skill with peace of mind because you helped us escape this far.”
“That’s impressive. It’s quite a convenient skill.”
“In my opinion, the truly impressive one is you...”
The Assistant Writer gave a bitter smile.
“This skill won’t last long. Follow me, Mr. [Protagonist] of this story. I’ll take you to our hideout.”
-We’ll kill youuuu!
The spokeswoman’s voice raged behind us.
-You may be a lunatic, but let’s see if you can keep your nerve after being caught by us! Yess! I’ll tear your nails out and shove them into your eyes, and Charumu! You, I saw you there!
“Hic...”
The mage boy following us in silence hiccuped.
-You know how it ends for traitors. Ahaha! But you’ll realize how ignorant you were because, uh! Because you will set a new record for the worst punishment ever given to traitors!
“Ugh... Huh…”
-Expect it!
Bang, a noise sounded. The spokeswoman seemed to have slammed the table.
-You will all receive the worst massacre! No! The worst eternal hell! Definitely! Without fail!
We successfully shook off our pursuers.
“This is the place.”
The Assistant Writer led us to an underground cave.
“As you know, the 50th floor is eroded by void poison. The land itself has a strong magical nature. The deeper you go underground, the stronger the disturbance becomes, so the tower's spiders can't accurately locate us. It's a natural fortress.”
As the Assistant Writer said, the secret hideout extended deep underground, without a single light.
“Is there only one entrance?”
I lit my fingertip with aura to use as a light. The disciples carefully descended the passage using my light.
“No. There are several. I know of 14 exits, and probably there are more than 23 times that I don’t know about.”
“That’s incredible.”
“Well, that's necessary in case we're invaded so everyone can escape on their own...”
The Magic Tower also knew about this hideout and occasionally invaded it. However, the underground cave was unimaginably vast and had countless entrances, making a complete sweep virtually impossible.
"......."
There were eyes watching us from the dark depths of the cave.
“...They are the librarians…”
“Why did they come back? How did they return?”
“Shh, don’t show any interest...”
They were ragged-looking people. It seemed they had set up dwellings in a corner of the cave, with cluttered living tools scattered around. There were also dirty tents spread out to avoid the dew dripping from the ceiling.
As we walked down the cave passage, there were people like that, with their belongings strewn about.
“...This is a communal refuge.”
Noticing my curiosity about their identity, the Assistant Writer informed me.
“A communal refuge?”
“Yes. Not only librarians like us, but almost all hunters who lost their Constellations live here. The toxicity is strong, so it's hard to live long... But it’s better than being captured by the Magic Tower and be subjected to human experimentation.”
Indeed.
I noticed that there were small shrines included in the cave dwellers’ tent homes.
Some even arranged a modest altar with a deity statue on it.
“Outside, they call us [escapees]. Well... Even though we’re in similar situations, there’s no sense of solidarity. Rather, they hate each other. They served different Constellations, and each thought their own was the best.”
“I can understand that.”
“Is your world the same? Well, all worlds are similar. This way, please. Each Constellation’s followers have strictly divided areas, so it’s dangerous to enter the wrong one.”
As I followed the guide, looking around.
“...Hmm?”
Something strange caught my eye.
I rubbed my eyes, thinking I saw it wrong. After wiping away nonexistent eye gunk, I looked again, enhancing my vision with aura.
"......."
But my vision was normal.
In one corner of the cave.
There was another passage leading in a different direction from where we were walking. What I noticed was on both sides of the passage. Sculptures carved like the Four Heavenly Kings in Seokguram* were there.
*For more info, check https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seokguram
The sculpture had a very familiar face.
"Huh?"
The Assistant Writer, walking ahead, stopped and looked back.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing… I’m just seeing things right now...”
"What is it?"
The Assistant Writer also looked where I was staring.
She tilted her head after seeing [something].
“Huh? Why?”
As if it were a very familiar, everyday sight.
“That’s just a normal [Sword Emperor] statue.”
".............."
I was stunned.
“Careful, intruder.”
If the mage boy hadn't been right behind me, I would have collapsed.
“That, that, Sword Emperor statue? Sword Emperor staaaatue?”
“...Why are you so surprised?”
“Why. Why. How come, why is there a statue of something like the Sword Emperor!?”
I grabbed the Assistant Writer's shoulder and shook her. I couldn't help it. The Assistant Writer looked at me as if I were crazy, then shook off my hand.
“Why? Well, because the Sword Emperor is also a Constellation. Of course, there are people who serve him.”
“Yeees?”
“I don’t know why you’re so surprised... The Constellation of the Sword, commonly known as the Sword Emperor, is quite famous. A hundred and fifty years ago, when he was still human, he once brought down the a spire of the Magic Tower. Though, like our Librarian, it is said he didn't make disciples... But there are always followers everywhere.”
The Assistant Writer furrowed her brow.
“Especially, followers of the Sword Emperor are often seen as fools obsessed with martial arts. I’ve seen them a few times passing by, but I recommend not getting involved with them. How should I put it... It feels like they live in a different world.”
"....................."
Creeeak.
I slowly looked at the Guardian Spirit.
The Guardian Spirit looked at me as if to say, what are you staring at now?
-Why?
‘Explain this to me.’
-Flip your card over.
‘Card? What damn card?’
-My card, you idiot. The one you took from that gramps Marcus.
I summoned the card.
I flipped it over.
+
[Sword Constellation]
Rank: A+
Effect: From another world, he cleared his world’s tower up to floor 99 but failed on the 100th. Unsatisfied, he was unable to give up on his earthly desires, and has become a spirit.
He cannot physically affect anything in this world, but is able to communicate with the holder of this skill.
Be awestruck by his skill and experience, and ask him for guidance!
*Only the holder of this skill is able to feel his presence.
*Skill copied from Marcus Calenbury.
+
What is this?
-Look at the card's name, Mr. Zombie.
I looked.
-Is [Sword Constellation] visible to your eyes or not?
"......."
-Then am I a Constellation or not? You brain-dead zombie.
This is insane.
Why didn’t you tell me?
-You didn’t ask.
This insane son of a...
-And I did tell you.
‘When?’
-When you invaded the Magic Tower today. When I told you a secret passage to sneak in. I told you a story from the past.
[Yes. The Sword Emperor had a deep purpose when he brought down the tower's spire. Even if it’s a power ruling the 50th floor, there’s no eternal victor! Anyone can become a traitor. The Sword Emperor took up his sword personally to teach this noble intention to us, the common people. Oh, praise him. From now on, we are the disciples of the Sword Emperor, followers of the Sword Emperor Sect. We will all follow him…]
-But you told me to shut up and just lead the way.
"......."
-I always speak the truth, you brain-dead zombie. But in the eyes of a sage, only sages are seen, and in the eyes of a zombie, only zombies are seen, you always dismiss my truth as nonsense. Even now, realize that I am a true senior with a proper personality.
So.
‘You’re telling me there really is a Sword Emperor Sect in this world, with followers who serve you? For real?’
-That’s correct.
This world is crazy.
