Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant - Chapter 53
Chapter 53
‘Finally…!’
Suho’s eyes sparkled.
The Void Style.
It was one of the things Suho sought to obtain from this gate.
‘And it’s also the reason I absolutely needed to get the Nameless Sword.’
When he first created the Suho Swordsmanship, Suho thought he had glimpsed the ultimate state of swordsmanship.
But as time went on, he couldn’t help but realize that the Suho Sword was just one among the countless sword styles created by humans.
He came to know that there were powerful beings in the world beyond what any human-crafted swordsmanship could contend with.
It was then he learned of the existence of the Nameless Sword, and Suho’s swordsmanship began to evolve to an inhuman level.
The first superhuman technique he mastered was the Void Style’s First Technique, the ‘Cutting of Steel.’
[ You have accomplished a great feat and are awarded 10 bonus stat points by the system. ]
Upon mastering the Severing Steel technique, he received 10 bonus stat points from the system.
Right.
The Void Style was indeed a great feat.
Throughout his life, Suho had never seen anyone else use the Void Style.
‘Still, I got it faster than expected.’
In his past life, it had taken Suho quite a long time to acquire the Severing Steel technique.
It took him years after obtaining the Nameless Sword.
But this time was different.
Suho perfectly understood the essence of Severing Steel, and all he needed was the time to prove it to the system.
Suho invested all the bonus stat points he obtained into strength.
Then he turned his Blood Sword sideways and looked at Marleon.
Marleon appeared visibly startled.
It was only natural, as he sensed that Suho’s strength had risen slightly during their fight.
– You! What kind of sorcery did you use this time?
“Sorcery? It’s the result of pure effort.”
– What?
“Just watch.”
– Nonsense!
The enraged Marleon stretched out his hand toward Suho.
Suddenly, more than ten water spears surged and scattered, all heading toward Suho.
Suho clicked his tongue at the sight.
“Tsk tsk, you really have no learning ability, do you?”
Suho didn’t dodge.
Instead, he gripped his sword with both hands and swung it with all his might just before the water spears reached him.
[ Severing Steel is activated. ]
Crash!
A crimson line cut through the air.
And when the afterglow faded, there was nothing left in its wake.
Thud!
The heads of the water spears were severed and dropped to the ground.
None remained intact.
He had deliberately swung wide to cut through them all.
Marleon’s eyes visibly widened at the sight.
– How…!!
“How? I cut it with my sword. Are your eyes just for show?”
Suho continued speaking as he approached the lake.
“Are you planning to stay there?”
– Hmph!
Instead of answering, Marleon raised his hand.
And the ground began to tremble.
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
A heavy rumble.
At the same time, the forest shook, and Suho turned around to look.
“Grrrr-”
Emerging from the trembling forest were none other than golems.
Suho looked above their heads.
– Twisted Golem of the Murky Forest Lv.96
– Twisted Golem of the Murky Forest Lv.98
– Twisted Golem of the Murky Forest Lv.97
They weren’t one-star creatures, but their levels were high.
And being golems, they likely had high defense.
Suho sighed and spoke.
“It’s obvious that you’re some kind of cursed druid with the way you summon those things.”
– Hmph, I’m curious to see how long you can keep your confidence.
As soon as Marleon finished speaking, the golems simultaneously charged toward Suho.
In an instant, Suho kicked off the ground and took flight.
[ Leap is activated. ]
With the Leap skill, Suho soared high.
Then he greatly expanded the size of his Blood Sword, pulling the handle back over his head with both hands.
“Ugh!”
Suppressing a groan, he swung his sword downward.
Severing Steel activated, carving a huge, long red line across the golem’s body.
[ Severing Steel is activated. ]
Slash!!
Where his sword passed, the area split open instantly.
And the golem fell apart, split diagonally on both sides.
[ You have slain the Twisted Golem of the Murky Forest. ]
The system’s notification.
Of course, Marleon couldn’t see it.
But realizing that the spirit connection to his golem was severed, Marleon’s eyes grew even wider.
– H-how did you cut down the golem with a single strike…!
“I can cut through steel, so do you think a mere rock is beyond me?”
Severing Steel wasn’t just named for cutting steel.
It was the ultimate decapitation technique, capable of cutting through steel.
That’s why he had swung his sword relentlessly without relying on enchantments or supplementary aids.
The First Technique of the Void Style could only be mastered through sheer practice.
Suho continued swinging his sword.
[ You have slain the Twisted Golem of the Murky Forest. ]
[ You have slain the Twisted Golem of the Murky Forest. ]
After slaying additional golems, Suho pointed his Blood Sword at Marleon.
“Is that all?”
– Silence!
Marleon’s enraged onslaught began.
***
– This is absurd…
Time had passed.
Suho stood at the edge of the lake, blocking all of Marleon’s attacks.
Marleon had used everything he had.
Water spears, as well as ents and golems, even summoning corrupted spirits and fairies when necessary.
But none of them could withstand Suho’s Blood Sword.
Suho threw the fallen golems and ents into the lake.
Then, he created solid stepping stones, which Suho used as a bridge to approach Marleon.
“Let’s end this.”
Depending on one’s perspective, Marleon wasn’t a particularly difficult boss monster for someone like Suho, who knew everything about him.
In fact, the Twisted Forest itself wasn’t particularly challenging.
At least by Suho’s standards.
After all, there was no Phase 2 like in the Blood Swamp or any flying monsters to worry about.
‘At most, it’s difficult to approach the lake due to the field monsters and Marleon’s numerous summons…’
But none of that posed a real obstacle for Suho.
Suho raised his sword and charged toward Marleon.
[ Leap is activated. ]
As Suho approached, Marleon summoned the water spears again.
But.
Crash!
Marleon’s water spears were no longer a match for Suho.
Suho slaughtered the water spears, then, riding his momentum, kicked Marleon into the lake.
Splash!
‘As expected of a summoner druid, his main body is weak.’
Though a one-star boss monster, Marleon was not the only one-star monster in this world, and there was nothing particularly special about him.
Though soaked like a drowned rat, Marleon didn’t flail helplessly.
Instead, he summoned more water spears and rose to the surface.
Suho summoned the Ghost Spear and imbued it with holy power.
And he threw it.
[ Throwing Spear is activated! ]
Crash!
The spear hit the shadow beneath Marleon.
Simultaneously, Suho closed in on him once more.
[ Severing Steel is activated. ]
Crash!
This time, he swung his sword precisely, severing Marleon’s head.
[ You have slain Marleon, the ruler of the Twisted Forest. ]
[ The gate has been cleared. ]
[ The MVP of this gate is ‘Ahn Suho.’ ]
[ Additional experience points are awarded for MVP selection. ]
[ A bonus stat point is awarded for MVP selection. ]
[ Your level has increased. ]
[ All stats have increased by 1. ]
[ You have acquired 1 bonus stat point. ]
As Marleon died, system notifications poured in.
Suho grabbed the decapitated head and body that flew into the air.
Then he quickly left the lake and laid the corpse on the ground.
Moments later, the body disappeared, leaving a murky red gem behind.
Suho picked it up and checked its information.
[ Cursed Druid’s Dominion Gem ]
– Grade: S
# The power of ‘Marleon,’ known as a druid cursed by god’s wrath.
# Unlike typical druids who draw power from ‘affinity,’ Marleon’s druidic power was based on ‘dominion.’
# This dominion tainted clear minds, preventing him from walking the path of an ordinary druid, and ultimately, he was exiled from his home forest.
# However, this dominion could even control those with corrupted minds, making him the sole druid and guardian of the Twisted Forest, an inhospitable place for ordinary druids.
The Dominion Gem.
The reason Suho had come here.
While the Void Style was also a reason, this was his ultimate objective.
He needed this item to acquire something at the next gate.
Suho placed the Dominion Gem in his inventory and invested all acquired stat points into strength.
“Status window check.”
[ Ahn Suho ]
– Lv: 64
– Class: Healer
– Trait: New Blood
– Strength (R): 55
– Health (R): 26
– Magic (R): 26
– Perception (R): 26
– Bonus stat: 0
The momentum felt good.
Closing the status window, Suho finally took steps toward the exit.
***
Outside the gate.
The gate began to shake as soon as it was cleared.
The trembling gate line signaled
that the gate had been conquered.
Upon hearing the news, Bang Dueok hurried outside, his expression twisted in frustration.
“Damn…”
He had hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but the gate was truly cleared.
Choi Yoon was equally surprised.
‘To think he really conquered it…’
They had already completed their investigation into the Twisted Forest.
Bang Dueok’s team had conducted an independent assessment.
And their conclusion was an S-rank danger level.
The interior was filled with near one-star monsters, particularly large types like ents and golems, which the assessment team judged would be challenging for any skilled hunter.
‘And the entrance limit is only eight people.’
Yet Hunter Ahn Suho had conquered this dangerous place alone.
Choi Yoon glanced at Bang Dueok’s contorted expression and said.
“It’s been conquered.”
“I can see that. Shut your mouth.”
“…”
Owning a gate personally was a rare opportunity.
Not only did one have to find it first, but the gate also had to be beyond government influence, and the owner needed enough force to manage gate shock independently.
However, the reason people were willing to take such risks to own a gate was that owning a gate was incredibly lucrative.
And the Twisted Forest was akin to a shop that had just finished its grand opening preparations and received its first customer.
But now, just as it had opened, it had already been conquered.
Perhaps that was why?
Bang Dueok’s temple pulsed with tension as he spoke.
“Ah, damn. The more I think about it, the more I hate this.”
“What?”
“No, damn it. I’ve invested too much money here to be told to take one billion and leave. I can’t just let it go. Boys.”
“Yes!”
At Bang Dueok’s command, his subordinates all drew their weapons.
Choi Yoon frowned at their actions and spoke.
“Are you really going to do this?”
“Yes, I am. Unless you can match the price.”
“Can you handle the consequences?”
“What do you mean? Couldn’t that so-called Union be…”
At that moment.
Crash!
A spear suddenly pierced Bang Dueok’s face as he raised his voice.
Instantly, Bang Dueok died.
The one who threw the spear.
Was none other than Suho.