SSS-Class Revival Hunter - Chapter 153

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈

Chapter 153: Surging to the Top (2)

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"Huh?!"

Sword Saint was indeed Sword Saint. Despite being flustered, he swung his sword to the end. Had I not shaken his composure, even the technique I was unveiling for the first time would have been blocked.

But this time, my move narrowly succeeded.

"......!"

My holy sword pointed at the old man's throat. Hesitation. Glancing at the blade just 5cm from his neck, the old man froze. The sword he swung in a final struggle was still over 15cm away from my neck.

"Huh."

I gave him a cold smile.

"I've won, elder."

"......."

Sword Saint's face soured rapidly.

"How can this be! Invalid! It's invalid!"

"Aaah, I don't understand what you mean. A match is a match. Are you planning to cry invalid even after being defeated in battle? Huh? I never thought the Sword Saint would be such a person."

"There's a limit to everything! This is... this is..."

"This is? What?"

"This is excessively sly!"

Sly?

That's a fantastic compliment!

"Puhahaha! Thank you, elder. To be called sly by the Sword Saint! It's like I'm living the dream. Please stay healthy and strong."

"This......"

Sword Saint trembled. His face screamed how annoyed he was with me. The more he was, the sweeter it was for me.

"I, too, held back from talking about my 'martial lineage'! I was considerate enough to wait for you until now. Is it right to trample an old man's feelings so cruelly?"

"Yes, next loser."

"L-Loser? Ha. We've fought 53 times, and I've won 52 times! If it's 53 battles with 52 wins and 1 loss, I'm obviously the winner!"

"The last one is always the most important. Don't you know Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu? Win ninety-nine battles out of a hundred, and it all comes to nothing if you lose once. If you're Xiang Yu, Sword Saint, then I'm Liu Bang. The world belongs to me."

"So I'm saying we should have another round!"

"Nope. I'm not fighting for the next six months. For six months, I'll spread the news everywhere that I've beaten the Sword Saint. After that, maybe I'll consider fighting again."

"H... Huh...!!"

At last, the Sword Saint was on the verge of fainting. Alas and alack. His heart's blood must be blocked and his acupoints twisted, sending him into qi deviation. I had better pray for the repose of the Sword Saint's soul.

That's when a voice came from not too far away.

"…You two seem close."

Pop!

Someone appeared out of thin air and landed lightly. It was the Black Dragon Master. Using a teleportation skill, her appearance made the spectators in the outfield murmur. The top three hunters, from ranking 1 to 3, were gathered in one place.

"Hmm."

Black Dragon Master also noticed people's gaze. She slightly smiled and waved her hand.

Click! Click!

Hunters busily clicked on their smartphones to capture the scene of us three together. Only then did Black Dragon Master turn to look at us, wearing an incredulous expression.

"It's usual for the King of Death to be childish, but why are you like this too, Sword Saint? Hanging out with him, did your mental age drop as well? Without your noble image, you're just a corpse."

"Don't want to hear that from a witch who's as good at faking innocence as breathing!"

"Ah. Yeah. Now that I think about it, you did have a hot-blooded vibe in the early days of entering the tower. I vaguely remember... not that I miss it."

The Black Dragon Master seemed to recall the past, her eyes narrowing for a moment. But it lasted only a moment. She soon composed herself and told us why she had come.

"It's good to play like kids, but today, show the demeanor of the top two rankers. Everyone else is already gathered at the Great Library."

"Eh?"

I sheathed my holy sword, asking,

"What happened?"

"Stuff happens every day without getting boring... Yeah. Today is a bit of a big deal."

Black Dragon Master spoke softly.

"Let's open the 31st floor."

It's been 56 days since we cleared the Great Library.

For the past two months, we've had a hectic time.

What? We should rest after struggling from the 21st to the 30th floors? That's for ordinary hunters. Top rankers like Black Dragon Master and I have been even busier. To put it exaggeratedly, we nearly died.

A month ago, a prominent warlord's faction in Africa collapsed completely, and around 1,300 defeated soldiers fled into the Tower. It was maddening, but this sort of thing happened surprisingly often. The Tower was already overflowing with newcomers, and we were incredibly busy breaking up the warlord faction as well.

"Welcome! We've been waiting for you, everyone!"

Upon arriving at the Great Library, the Heretic Inquisitor greeted us with a bright smile.

Adorable as an angel, but remembering that exact same smile during the personal interrogation of thirty-three members of the warlord faction lowers the cuteness level a little.

"I heard. We're going to open the 31st floor?"

"Yes! The urgent tasks are mostly finished. There's still a lot to solve, but it's manageable at the executive level. Ah, our duties must be fulfilled!"

"Hmm."

I nodded.

The purpose of top rankers is to conquer the tower. We move upwards, raising our flags, showing those who follow that there's still a 'place we must go'. We show the direction. When the direction is clear, hope naturally arises.

In return, we hold power.

And with that responsibility, we stake our lives.

"King of Death, what happened during this morning's sparring? The Sword Saint is standing behind you with a face like he's chewing shit!"

"He probably needs to take a shit. Let's wrap up the meeting quickly for the elder's sake."

"Poor Sword Saint, you can go to the bathroom if you need. We can wait a few more minutes, the 31st floor isn't going anywhere! Oh. Is it constipation? That's a bit troublesome."

"You lot......"

"Hmm."

Paladin cleared her throat.

"Everyone's here, so let's proceed."

Paladin turned her head to look at Hamusutra.

Hamusutra, dressed as a café employee, waited silently beside the table. Hamusutra was no longer the keeper of the Great Library, but a part-time employee at the Library Café Planetarium.

"Then, call the [Head Librarian]."

"Um. Understood."

Hamusutra smiled and walked out, not through the main entrance but the back door marked 'No Entry Except for Authorized Personnel'.

Shortly after.

A child in baggy pajamas followed Hamusutra inside.

"Did you call me...?"

The child yawned heavily.

"Ah, it's the King of Death. Long time no see."

Seemingly just woken up, the child even clutched a pillow. It was adorned with colorful peaches.

Though looking completely like a young child.

[The Princess Who Strolls Through Mirages greets you.]

This child is the new librarian of the 30th floor, replacing Hamusutra. Not just any constellation, but one of the so-called 'Pillars'.

I bowed slightly.

"Yes, long time no see, Princess."

I'll have the chance to talk about this constellation later.

What's important now is that [The Princess Who Strolls Through Mirages] is in charge of the library and the revelations. She plays the role of a guide and helper in our tower conquest.

"Hmm."

The Princess sleepily looked around the cafe table.

"All the top rankers are here... Ah. Are we starting today?"

"That's right."

Black Dragon Master answered on our behalf.

"Two months ago, you said you'd open the next stage whenever we wanted. We've tidied up things, so we're starting the conquest again today."

"Huh. You guys are really fast..."

The Princess rubbed her eyes.

"Just in case you're mistaken, there's no time limit to conquering the tower. It's fine whether it's cleared in 600 or 1200 years, or even not at all. Are you really unlocking the 31st floor today?"

"Yes, we are..."

"Ah, sorry. Black Dragon. I wasn't asking you."

The Princess shook her head at the Black Dragon Master.

"This is a decision for the number 1 in the rankings. It's a rule. Same for any tower. You're number 3, so you don't have a say."

"......"

Black Dragon Master fell silent.

"Sorry. It's autocratic, isn't it? Towers have circumstances of their own. It can be a real roll of the dice depending on who holds the number one spot, but right now, you happen to be lucky. In the past..."

"Princess."

Hamusutra spoke quietly.

"I'm not in a position to criticize, but you're talking too much."

"Ah. Sorry. I've been sleepy ever since I descended here... Anyway, Swordy. Are you really going to unlock the thirty-first floor?"

The person the Princess looked at was our tower's number 1, Sword Saint.

"......"

Sword Saint slowly looked around. Hunters meeting his gaze nodded one after another. Even Paladin nodded, and only then Sword Saint spoke.

"Unlock it."

"Okay. Got it."

The Princess spread her arms.

The pillow in her embrace dropped to the floor with a thud.

"I, [The Princess Who Strolls Through Mirages], as the temporary guide of this tower, acknowledge your ascension."

At that moment, a voice resounded.

[Announcing to everyone.]

[As of today, the next stage has been unlocked.]

It was the voice of the tower.

"Alright. Let's skip the welcome speech since I'm here..."

The Princess waved her hand.

Then, a list appeared in front of us.

1. Pure Humans Race

2. Ghost Tribe

3. Mountain Snail Tribe

4. Gill-Fin Tribe

5. Ancient Orchid Clan

ㆍ

No matter how much I scrolled, the list seemed endless. Dozens, maybe hundreds of races were listed in succession.

'Finally, it's here.'

My heart raced with excitement as I steadied myself.

But my companions seemed more curious than excited. They furrowed their brows as they looked over the list.

Naturally, the first to ask a question was the Heretic Inquisitor.

"What is this?"

"You asked well."

The Princess chuckled.

It seemed she took pleasure in answering questions.

"Try clicking on any of them. Then you'll understand."

Following the Princess's suggestion, the Heretic Inquisitor pressed the words 'Conformist Humans.'

Pop! A hologram appeared.

[Conformist Humans]

Extinction Grade: F (No danger)

Maxim: 'We decide the world.'

Description: A race whose every ability falls around the average. Depending on the world, the Conformists may be enslaved by other races or reign as masters of the world. 'We alone represent all intelligent beings.' The Conformists call themselves Pure Humans, using a different character for their name. They declare the average to be ordinary, then go a step further and establish it as the standard.

Traits: [Fast Stance Change], [Legacy of Records], [Square Enthusiast]

Evolution: None

Aliases: Human, Hume, Human Race, and so on.

An image was displayed next to the description.

It depicted humans, just like us.

"......."

My excitement intensified.

If I remembered correctly, the stages to come were...

"Race Wars!"

The Race War.

"From now on, you must choose one race! That race will worship you like gods, and as you command, prophesy, and divine, they will cultivate a 'civilization'."

We had to choose one from hundreds of races.

In the past, the Flame Emperor, who was ranked number one, chose the Fairy Race, commonly known as elves. He controlled the Fairies exactly as he usually did, and the process was so horrific that I had better omit the details.

I learned then that Elves could become so brutal and ferocious.

'For the Fire God!'

Elves shouting that as they gleefully massacred other races were a perfect example of the disaster that follows when a race ends up serving the wrong number-one ranker.

"Hmm."

The Heretic Inquisitor tilted his head.

"What does it mean to cultivate a civilization?"

"Exactly as it says. Cultivate a civilization as you wish. It could be a civilization of war-crazed plunderers or of scholars who worship knowledge. It's up to you. Maybe this will make it clearer?"

The Princess bent down, picking up the peach pillow again.

"This time, you'll be…"

Cradling the peach pillow, she smiled.

"Experiencing the role of a Constellation!"

Murmurs spread among my companions.

Meanwhile, I was swiftly scrolling through the list.

Calculating which race would yield the best outcome.

'Dragonkin. Sounds intimidating with 'dragon' in it, but they were just Wyvern-like creatures, right? Fairies... I was drawn to them before the regression, but no. The image of fairies tarnished by the Flame Emperor has left a deep wound in my tender heart...'

-You madman.

The Guardian Spirit clicked his tongue.

-Just pick the Pure Humans Race normally. You're a human. I am too. Humans. Those who have tasted meat know it best, same with races.

'No.'

The choice of race was clear.

103. Earth Spirit Tribe

I silently touched the hologram of that race.

[Earth Spirit Tribe]

Extinction Grade: A (High Danger)

Alias: Goblin, etc.

Goblin.

The sight of that word sent an electric tremor through me.

How could I describe this lightning-like sensation?

Love?

Destiny?

No.

'I am a returner who has traveled back in time by 11 years.'

Thus, this is-

'Inevitability.'

I pulled out a card from my pocket.

My ace in the hole, cherished and reserved for this moment.

An undisclosed secret technique that no one could have imagined.

'The time has come.'

The shit-brown card was densely covered in writing.

[Goblin High Society]

Rank: F

Effect: The Great Goblin agonized over a problem. 'Our goblin culture is far too crude. All our speech ends in keruk or kerek. How can this sovereign's dignity possibly shine through?' Then the Great Goblin's genius flashed. 'That's it! From now on, this sovereign shall say goruk instead of keruk. Goruk! A pronunciation befitting this sovereign's refined sensibilities.'

*However, conflict within the tribe will intensify.

*This skill was copied from the monster Great Goblin.

-Wait a minute.

Guardian Spirit sensed something amiss and changed color.

-No, right? You can't mean that, right? Gong-ja. Even if you're the greatest fucking lunatic under heaven, you wouldn't go that far. Right?

I made a solemn face.

'Goblin.'

With an unwavering voice, I declared.

'I choose Goblin.'

The Guardian Spirit was silent for a moment.

Then, he exploded.

-You fucking insane bastard!!