WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈
Chapter 27: The Chosen Ones (3)
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"I… I am..."
After a long pause, Sword Saint finally spoke.
The hunters were watching him. The old man's lips were parched.
“I, to Kim Gong-Ja...”
Here, Sword Saint had much to say.
Above all, he did not have to trust the Paladin. There was no reason to. Although the Paladin was famously upright and fair, she was still a power player in one of the 5 great guilds. Why should he trust her?
'I've been fooled by all of you conniving together!'
Sword Saint could have been furious.
Or... rather, Sword Saint could have revealed his own skill card. [Eyes of a Detective]. The ability to see the other person's kill count. Revealing his own skill to others was not a wise choice. But it was sufficient as an excuse.
'It's not because I'm an old fogey that I doubted Kim Gong-Ja. It's all the skill's fault! The skill tells me so, what can I do? It's only natural to trust one's own skill rather than hastily trusting others.'
People tend to distrust others or make excuses when they have done wrong.
'There are psychopaths like the Flame Emperor who just kill their opponents.'
Distrust. Excuses. Silencing.
Just as the Flame Emperor chose [Silencing] and proved himself a psychopath... Sword Saint's choice would also determine what kind of person he is.
It was just such a story.
"Uhmm."
Sword Saint licked his lips.
And he made a decision.
"Your name was Kim Gong-Ja, wasn't it?"
"Yes."
"If you truly did not massacre innocent people... No. No, that's not it."
Sword Saint shook his head in the middle of speaking.
The old man sheathed his sword. Shrrrng. As the sword was sheathed, sighs of relief echoed around the audience chamber. The hunters surrounding Sword Saint relaxed a bit. Amidst this, Sword Saint straightened his tie.
"Let me speak again."
The old swordsman bowed deeply.
"I am truly sorry."
The old man apologized.
"I was wrong. I thought too simply and misunderstood easily... Thus, I almost killed someone too easily. Until now, I believed that those who deserved to die must be eliminated from the earth as quickly as possible, based on my own judgment. And I have killed according to that belief."
Sword Saint bowed his head a little lower.
"However, from now on, such a thing will not happen again."
His voice was low in the audience chamber.
"Merely apologizing in words is useless. If there is anything you desire, I shall grant it... If only I could say that, it would be splendid."
A self-mocking tone tinged his low voice.
“Please, at least spare my life. I beg you. I still want to live. I want to live and set foot on the top of this tower. I committed a grave wrong and nearly killed you. Even so, will you forgive this ugly old body and allow it to go on living?”
The palace's audience chamber fell silent.
The old man could have chosen differently. He could have distrusted the Paladin. He could have made excuses with his skill. But he did not. Instead, the old swordsman acknowledged that [maybe he was wrong].
"......"
The Paladin glanced at my face. Our eyes met. Without words, she nodded slightly. Though no conversation passed between us, I knew what the Paladin wanted to say.
'It's the truth.'
That everything the old man said was true.
Apologizing, not killing people based on [Eyes of a Detective] anymore. Not just that, but not wanting to die.
Wanting to live longer.
So, please forgive him.
-Just like an old geezer.
The Sword Emperor murmured but added nothing more. He merely looked at the old man who had once been his disciple, a hint of regret in his eyes.
Was he leaving the decision to forgive Sword Saint or not entirely up to me?
"Hmm."
Listening to that silence, I also made up my mind.
"Sir Sword Saint."
"Yes."
“Please teach me swordsmanship.”
"......"
Sword Saint raised his head that he had bowed to look up at me.
"Well, to be precise... if I ask for a sparring match, please accept anytime. I've managed to find a swordsmanship teacher, but I still don't have a crucial sparring partner. It would be great if Sword Saint could be my sparring partner."
It was a promise I had made with the Sword Emperor on the 11th floor.
To seriously train in swordsmanship before clearing the 20th floor.
It would be fitting to have Sword Saint as a training partner here, to keep the promise.
Ultimately leading to my benefit and growth...
"......"
No.
That's not it.
That's not what I want to say.
I shook my head.
"Sorry. Let me speak again."
"......?"
"Honestly, I can forgive you without any compensation. But."
I began to speak.
"Then it would be somewhat embarrassing. It would make me seem far more magnanimous than you, Sword Saint. I'm not that great a person. It’s just that… I'm modestly satisfied with the fact that a strong hunter like Sword Saint is no longer hostile to me."
"......"
“But after blades have already been drawn, it would be embarrassing to just say, ‘Okay!’ and forgive you here. I would be ashamed to act needlessly magnanimous. I simply do not like it. So teach me the most valuable thing you possess: your swordsmanship.”
I felt somewhat embarrassed.
No, my cheeks twitched.
"This way, I won't be embarrassed... and Sword Saint can save face."
"......"
"......"
Fuck!
I didn't realize pouring out my heart would be such an embarrassing act!
My goodness. How did Sword Saint manage to ask for forgiveness, saying his life is precious and begging for it? He seems to have a strong pride. Amazing. Impressive. Can a person sincerely apologize to someone? Beg for forgiveness? I could never do it. Won't do it. I'd rather die.
"...My goodness."
The Paladin murmured.
"Incredibly... it's all true."
Silence descended in the audience chamber again.
It was heavy.
Even though it was the same silence, the atmosphere was completely different now.
"Huh."
Viper was the first to speak.
"Really? You can ask Sword Saint for anything and you're embarrassed to show off...? So, you just want him to be your sparring partner?"
"It's hard to believe, but at least according to my skill, it's the truth."
"What? This newbie. Is he some kind of natural monument?"
Shut up before I boil you in snake soup.
"...Refreshing."
The Witch spoke with a wry expression.
"How should I put it? I'm used to seeing kids scrambling to gain even a little more advantage... Seeing someone like Hunter Kim Gong-Ja is quite rare. You've managed to survive until now."
I died. A lot.
Specifically, more than 4000 times. Happy now?
"Ahhh."
For some reason, the Heretic Inquisitor's eyes were wet.
"Truly repentant and truly forgiving! What a beautiful sight! Yes, humans constantly fight each other. But paradoxically, that's why they can endlessly forgive! A true holy miracle! Ah, everyone. I-"
“Shut your fucking mouth.”
At Viper's word, the Heretic Inquisitor really shut up.
It was a surprising miracle.
"Uh, it seems like things ended well for both of you. But, does that mean my 10,000 gold was just wasted?"
No one paid attention to the Countess's lament.
I sighed. I desperately craved soju.
"Anyway, that's it. Sword Saint. There's no need to start sword training right away. Just join me when I ask for it. Please be my sparring partner."
"......"
Sword Saint said nothing for a while, just stared straight at my face. Then, suddenly, the old man slowly opened his mouth.
"Like this,"
The old man's lips trembled along with his mustache.
"To misunderstand such a kind young man like this!"
"Uh..."
"Oh! You asked to be taught the sword. Asked to be a sparring partner. Of course! Yes, indeed! I'll be your sparring partner anytime!"
Grab. The Sword Saint seized both my hands.
"Uh, Sword Saint?"
"Call me Grandfather Marcus!"
"What?"
"How old are you, young man? Hmm. Judging by appearance, you're not yet 30. I left a very kind granddaughter in the outside world. A child with a gentle heart. If she enters the tower, I'll actively promote your charms to her!"
"No, really, it's fine..."
I wasn't interested in romance. More than that, my hand hurt. It hurt.
His number-one ranking was not for show. The Sword Saint's grip was tremendous.
"What? Are you saying you're not interested in my granddaughter?"
"Uh. Yes. Sorry, but not just Sword Saint's granddaughter, I'm not really interested in romance right now..."
"Ah-ha! That would be terrible!"
His grip strength leveled up by one.
“In youth, the spring breeze of love should naturally blow. You do not necessarily need to marry. But romance is essential! Through romance, you begin to see things you never saw before and learn many things you never knew! Indeed. Most importantly, you discover just how ugly you yourself can become!”
"Ah. Yes..."
"Do you know how important it is to realize one's own ugliness? Let me tell you about my experience. It was when I was 16, when I still took the world lightly. But after meeting a girl my age..."
Huh?
This gentleman suddenly became awfully bothersome.
His face was too close. I could see the pores and blackheads on his nose.
Honestly, it was uncomfortable.
I wished he would back off.
-Didn't I tell you he's an old geezer?
The Sword Emperor clicked his tongue.
-Whether for better or worse, he's an old geezer. Do you know what that means? It's someone who doesn't listen to others. Gramps just doesn't listen. To put it nicely, he has his own principles. To put it badly, he's so set in his ways that he's almost ascended to heaven.
I had no idea.
Nor did I want to know.
"Anyway, don't worry. Young man! From now on, I will take good care of you. Ah, do you need an allowance? I've piled up so much money in the Sang-Ryun vault that I can't even manage it all."
"Uh, I can earn my own money. Besides, an allowance? I'm a fully grown adult..."
"You're dressed so shabbily! Ah, people must be neat in their clothing for their minds to be clear. I know a tailor with excellent skills. How about getting a suit tailored!"
What is this?
Is this also a kind of [Countless Handshake Requests]?
Receiving kindness from the current top-ranked hunter should normally be a cause for joy. But I wasn't happy. Instead, I was severely embarrassed. It felt like listening to a real grandfather bragging about his grandchild.
Why should I bear this embarrassment?
'Should I just commit suicide and start the day over?'
-You're insane...
That was the moment.
[Welcome, Hunter Kim Gong-Ja.]
[You have conquered the 11th floor in 1st place.]
A voice echoed in my mind.
As if waiting for my battle to end.
3.
‘Ah.’
I reflexively looked around.
Most were sighing in relief. Grateful that Sword Saint had peacefully stopped the fight. It seemed that no one else had heard the voice yet.
'I'm first!'
A smile formed on my face.
'I don't know why, but there was very little information about the floors from 12 to 20.'
Was there media control? I had no way of knowing the details. However, before my 4000 deaths and return, while other floors had extensive information available, the 12th to 20th floors notably had little.
It seemed like the major guilds had united to forcibly hide information.
[You will receive the 11th floor's clear reward.]
I soon learned the reason.
[The Goddess of Protection offers you a reward.]
[The Demon King of the Autumn Rain offers you a reward.]
[Please select one of the two rewards.]
'What?'
I blinked in surprise.
'Choose a reward?'
I had not heard such a voice in the previous stages.
Responding to my surprise, a selection window floated up before me.
+
[The Goddess of Protection]
Description: The goddess who protects the Aegim Empire is moved by your dedication! She has decided to entrust you with an important position in the empire.
You can become the Prime Minister, the Grand General, or the Commander of the Knights of the empire. Choosing a position will also grant you the abilities and reputation associated with that position!
Warrior of the goddess! Join forces with your fellow warriors.
And destroy the Demon King's core located on the 20th floor!
*However, if you choose the Demon King's reward, you cannot choose the Goddess's reward.
+
I read the reward carefully.
I nodded.
'This is exactly as I knew it.'
Role-playing!
Hunters actually become part of the Aegim Empire and act accordingly. Some can become the empire's Prime Minister, others the Commander of the Knights.
It's not just about filling a position. If you're the Commander of the Knights, you inherit the abilities and reputation that come with it.
[Displaying the special classes you can choose on the 12th floor.]
And hunters who conquered the previous stage with high ranks were rewarded.
The right to choose a 'special position' one step ahead of others!
+
[Prime Minister of the Aegim Empire]
[Grand General of the Aegim Empire]
[Finance Minister of the Aegim Empire]
[Foreign Affairs Minister of the Aegim Empire]
[Commander of the Knights of the Aegim Empire]
[Captain of the Imperial Guards of the Aegim Empire]
ㆍ
ㆍ
ㆍ
+
A dazzling array of prestigious positions lined up.
'Wow.'
I admired them in my mind.
'In the past, I could only choose roles like Guard A...'
I had reached the 12th floor before my regression, but the situation then was entirely different. Not only the position of the Commander of the Knights, but even roles like the Captain of the Guards had been monopolized by the upper-middle rankers.
But now?
'The stage rewards are really impressive.'
I could choose to be the Prime Minister or the Grand General of the empire.
What a drastic change.
The saying "strike while the iron is hot" couldn't be more true.
'...But what's this reward from the Demon King?'
I shifted my gaze.
There, I saw content I had never seen before.
+
[The Demon King of the Autumn Rain]
Description: The Demon King admires your achievements. The Demon King proposes that you secretly collaborate with them. The Demon King promises exactly the same reward as the Goddess, with one additional gift.
Kill all the top 10 Heroes except yourself!
Then, the Demon King will use their power to transfer you directly to the 99th floor.
*However, only 1 among the top 10 will receive the Demon King's reward.
*If multiple people choose this reward, only 1 will be randomly selected.
*If no one chooses, the Demon King's reward will disappear.
+
"......"
I was at a loss for words.
As I belatedly reacted, two voices overlapped in my mind.
'What?'
-Huh?
Sword Emperor and I.
We blinked and read the Demon King's reward again.
But the sentences remained the same.
[Kill all the top 10 Heroes except yourself!]
[Then, the Demon King will use their power to transfer you directly to the 99th floor.]
It was clearly written.
I looked around. Sword Saint, Witch, Heretic Inquisitor, Countess, Viper, Paladin, and other top-ranked hunters who were already familiar to me stood there.
'To kill all these people...'
‘If I kill them all, I can clear all the way to the 99th floor in one go?’
I swallowed hard.
Finally, the voice echoed again.
[Hunter Kim Gong-Ja.]
[Please choose one of the two rewards.]
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