WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
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◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈
Chapter 271: Epilogue (1)
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1.
There is more to the story.
The tribes celebrated after welcoming their gods again for the first time in thousands of years, literally welcoming them face-to-face.
Was it a neat meeting?
Many tribes were happy to find that their parents were better than expected.
"......Ah."
It was when we were sitting together on a wide rock, watching the jungle festival. Ah, said the Black Dragon Master, as if she had realized something.
"Why?"
"No... It’s just that, hearing from [The Princess Who Strolls Through Mirages], there are many hunters climbing the tower from other worlds, aren't there? It's hard to imagine."
"Well, yes...?”
I glanced behind me. A certain ghost floated through the air, yawning. Perhaps the ghost had an upset stomach, because he even burped, “Grrrk! Khup-hup.” Good grief. It was such a spectacle that I almost wanted to show it to everyone else.
"Huh? Why are you looking back suddenly? Is there someone there?"
The Black Dragon Master narrowed her eyebrows, following my gaze into the empty jungle. To Anastasia’s eyes, it would just be the sight of the jungle with vines hanging down the palm trees.
She doesn't have spiritual insight. What a pity.
"No, just felt a presence. Probably a snail or squirrel."
"Hmm."
"Please continue."
"Well, so... As such, strong warriors from all sorts of worlds are flooding into the tower, right?"
"That’s correct."
"Among them, there will surely be hunters much stronger than us. King of Death, you're right that we are strong but... we're not invincible. There may be forces more ruthless, stronger, and more numerous than us."
"Yes."
"So I was thinking…"
The Black Dragon Master slightly lifted the corner of her lips. A hint of awkwardness, absurdity, or whimsy? Anyway, it was that kind of smile.
"Why don’t we just not climb to the 50th floor and live?"
"......."
"Ah. Don’t misunderstand. I’m not suggesting we do that. It’s not like we are going to. Just, it seems like many hunters and residents of the tower might think that way."
Hmm.
I quietly sipped my tea.
"That’s probable."
In the remote jungle, far from cities and towns, and gathered here for a war against the Ki Dragon, it was hard to find even proper tea leaves, let alone a cup.
But the Earth Spirit Tribe found unusually sturdy leaves. They selected non-toxic ones, overlapped and knotted them, creating a respectable makeshift leaf teacup from the jungle. The children of the Earth Spirit Tribe shyly laughed and gifted me the teacup.
-The jungle is cold in the morning! The body gets cold.
-Ugor, you need warmth inside to have a happy day!
That was my offering this morning.
As a god, no one but me could ever have received a happier offering, and as a parent, few besides me could ever have received more adorable filial care.
I'm happy.
"There would be many people like that."
I took a sip from the world's most luxurious teacup.
Warmth slowly enveloped my throat and stomach.
The care of people isn’t just seen in smiles and laughter, but also permeates deep into their insides.
“Right. We have already taken the continent ruled by the Aegim Empire into our tower. The magical texts available there would be the most trivial resource of all. Millions of workers, inexhaustible monsters and game, ore, gold, oil...”
“There are already many extremists who want to drive out the Aegim Empire.”
The Black Dragon Master lowered her voice.
"Like America did to the natives. They argue that if we seize all the lands they occupied and loot their resources, we, with our advanced civilization, can become the new conquerors of the world."
"Thanks, Anastasia. If you hadn't strictly limited the movement between stages in the Black Dragon Guild, such incidents would have already happened."
"I'll gladly accept your gratitude, but I can't suppress the voices of the extremists forever."
"......."
"Kim Gong-Ja. You are a hero."
The Black Dragon Master’s face became serious.
It was the expression of a friend offering heartfelt advice to a dear companion. That was why I sensed that “You are a hero” was not praise, but the preface to a warning.
"You've been treated as a hero so far because you really didn't get involved in governance. Black Dragon, Pantheon, Merchants Union, Celestial Martial Clan, Vigilante Corps... top-tier guilds offered you vice-guild master positions. But you never once used the title to wield power. You didn’t jump into politics. You understand what I mean?"
"If I start governing the tower, even the mask of a hero will be stripped away."
“More precisely, the mask will split in two. One faction will clutch one half while following you fervently. The other will trample and crush the remaining half, then take up bamboo spears against you. The tower will divide into those two camps.”
Indeed.
Perhaps because of her experience with civil wars in the outside world.
The Black Dragon Master’s words were laden with heavy conviction and strong intuition.
"If the two forces are evenly matched, a civil war will break out. Guilds following you against those who dislike you. They’ll fight over who will dominate our tower... but not this time."
"This time it won't happen."
The reason is simple.
"The five guilds ruling the tower from above. Black Dragon, Pantheon, Merchants Union, Vigilante Corps, Celestial Martial Clan, all strongly support you."
We are bound by an unprecedented trust relationship.
On the other hand, what about the opposing side?
Those who want to snatch and break my mask are simply too weak.
Overwhelmingly weak.
There can't be a war.
Therefore.
"I'm planning a [purge]."
"A purge means..."
"Yes. I'll purge all dissidents and extremists."
There was silence for a moment.
2.
Somewhere, wood in a bonfire collapsed with the sound of its transformation into charcoal.
I wasn't listening to that sound. Instead, I remembered the story told by the Heretic Inquisitor in Raviel's world.
I recalled the repeatedly heard words, "They died."
"Anastasia."
I looked into the Black Dragon Master’s eyes.
"That purge once broke all the guild masters' relationships."
Long ago.
Since the great purge that cost hundreds of thousands of lives, the relationship between the five great guilds deteriorated.
The Sword Saint stepped down as captain of the Vigilante Corps. Rather than succeeding him as captain, the Paladin remained vice-captain. The Black Dragon Master withdrew into the shadows, while the Viper and the Heretic Inquisitor...
I recalled the rainy street I had seen through the Demigod’s Eye, another world the Tower Master had shown me. Yet when I spoke while remembering it, the Black Dragon Master did not fall silent.
She immediately responded.
"Yes, that happened. But Kim Gong-Ja, you appeared, and thanks to you, we became good friends again. I'm truly grateful for that."
The Black Dragon Master took a breath before continuing.
"But back then, it wasn't like the five great guilds tightly held the political power like now. That's why it was hard to weed out and eliminate the rotten apples. That's why there were so many unnecessary noises. But now…"
"Now?"
"Now it's different. The relationship among the five great guilds is better than ever, and I've been accumulating information about influential hunters in the tower for a long time. Roughly what kind of thoughts they have, what they've been doing. We just need to single out the extremists and deal with them. Swiftly. And secretly."
The Black Dragon Master said firmly.
"No one will even know that they died."
At those words, I thought of a certain alley.
I remembered a nameless hunter who died there.
Then I thought of a certain hunting ground.
There, I remembered a nameless hunter who died and is now in my shadow.
"......."
I crossed my arms.
Thought about it, then spoke.
"What about after that?"
"......."
"People keep coming in. As you said, the number of [extremists] will increase over time. What will you do with them?"
The Black Dragon Master bit her lip slightly.
Then she said.
"I'll deal with them too."
"......."
“Skin wears away and turns to grime. Food drained of its nutrients turns to shit. Stored nourishment turns to fat. You dispose of the waste that cannot help but arise... These are tasks one must perform to maintain an ideal self. Tasks that must be done. You repeat them without end, because otherwise an ideal organization cannot be maintained...”
“Anastasia.”
I reached out and laid my hand on the back of Anastasia’s. Despite the sweltering jungle heat, my friend’s hand was always as cold as though it held ice.
“I've talked about this before.”
In the past.
When I was conquering [The Immortal Missionary of Happiness]’s world.
“Bring them to me.”
I declared to the Black Dragon Master, the Heretic Inquisitor, the Countess, the Paladin, the Viper, that I would become their king and lead them. I proclaimed that I would guide them forward. I never intended to retreat from my declaration.
And the same holds true at this very moment.
“What kind of person are they? Do they really deserve to die? Anastasia, you can advise and warn me about them, but in the end, it’s me who will decide. I will judge them by looking into their eyes and observing their life.”
"......."
“I will make the decision. So, bring them to me first.”
“Ah.”
Anastasia sighed.
It wasn't a sigh of fatigue but one tinged with sorrow.
“So, what? Planning to persuade them?”
“Choosing to kill will be my last option.”
“How difficult that is to...”
“Once you get a taste for killing, persuasion feels bothersome. But, Anastasia. That’s the correct sentiment. You should find killing the most difficult.”
Anastasia closed her mouth.
After a brief silence, she reluctantly spoke.
“As you are, nominally, the vice-guild master of the Black Dragon, it would be difficult to criticize you for wandering around our guild. I won't guide you, so find the extremists yourself and try to persuade them.”
“Okay."
I smiled.
“Thank you, Anastasia. For listening to me…”
“That is welcome news indeed, Black Dragon Master.”
Thud.
There was the sound of footsteps behind us.
Without any hint, someone approached suddenly, the footsteps resounding within 10 meters.
"------!"
It took 0.5 seconds for me to grab and draw my sword.
"Black Dragon Master! I agree with you!”
“[Instantaneous Teleportation]!”
It took Anastasia 1.5 seconds to grasp my sleeve, seek agreement, and activate the skill.
“Family Head. Please step back.”
“Well now. Coming to see the master of our house without making your presence known? What sort of uninvited guest fed every scrap of courtesy to the dogs?”
Ester, along with the Four Demon Lords, jumped down from the top of the palm trees, rushed out of the dark bushes, and emerged from the shadowy corners of the rocks, taking 2 seconds.
“Whew.”
"Hmm."
Anastasia and I completed the teleportation far to the rear. By then, my Holy Sword was already drawn. Hundreds of Demonic Cult followers began to surround the area completely.
3 seconds.
In just 3 seconds, we perfectly responded to the intrusion of an unidentified intruder.
"Huh......."
The intruder stroked his beard. A mask covered his face, and aura distorted his voice, making it difficult to tell whose face or voice lay behind the disguise. A straw rain cape covered his body, further concealing his identity.
A true uninvited guest.
Yet, it was clear that the guest was quite surprised.
“I just wanted to test how much you’ve improved as a joke. But this... It would only be embarrassing for me if the joke failed, but I saw something remarkable. The protection here is nearly perfect.”
Yet, even with a distorted voice, there was a rhythm hard to conceal.
I roughly estimated the intruder's physique, posture, and aura intensity.
And with a stunned voice, I called out the intruder's name.
“Uh. Could it be... Sword Saint?”
“It's been a while.”
The intruder removed his mask.
A familiar face appeared.
Aged gracefully, the wrinkles only added charm to the smile of the old man.
“I met the Heretic Inquisitor on my way here, and we exchanged a few words. The Heretic Inquisitor pledged allegiance to you, and the Black Dragon Master became your friend, did they not? Up to that point, well, I have lived a fairly long life. I know that curious things sometimes happen to us. I can understand it. But...”
The Sword Saint chuckled lightly.
A rare sight to see him smile, and when he did, it was as pure as a child's, leaving me no choice but to gaze at it in a daze.
“I heard that even the Vice-Captain of the Vigilante Corps has become your friend! Haha.”
"......."
“I was too embarrassed to ask the vice-captain directly, so I went to the head of the Merchants Union and asked whether it was true. She gave me a bright smile and confirmed it. Astonishing. Truly, one must live a long life to see everything.”
I relaxed and sighed.
“Good grief. Was that really something you had to verify, sir? And while sneaking around with your identity concealed from us?”
“Of course.”
The Sword Saint now removed the cloak he was wearing.
“It was an important matter that would determine whether or not I should [retire].”
Thud.
As the straw cloak fell, the Sword Saint's true attire was revealed.
A suit that made him look ready to leave for work at any moment. The immaculately pressed black suit handsomely concealed the Sword Saint’s thighs and upper arms.
Even the dignified elegance of the black coat could not disguise his attainment. The suit followed the flesh of his muscles in smooth contours. Only the red necktie, that essential office worker’s accessory, hung freely, giving one narrow breath of relief to the tightly fitted, taut outfit.
Rank 1.
This was the Sword Saint people had watched for more than ten years.
“Retirement? What are you talking about?”
As I was admiring the Sword Saint's appearance, the Black Dragon Master inquired about the worrying words with a sharp look.
“Finally fantasizing about becoming a secluded old man? Congratulations. Even after retiring from the Vigilante Corps, you’ve been just like a secluded old man, but now you're truly realizing your position.”
“Hmm."
“Really? When you were chasing the Demon King with Gong-Ja, I thought your heart might have changed a bit, but then it was the same laziness afterward…”
“I’ve been trying my best.”
“That attitude is annoying.”
The Black Dragon Master frowned.
“You did the same this time as well. The Pure Humans Race you chose had almost no impact on history. It should have been the most active race, but you must have ordered them to hermitage and seclusion, right?”
The old man smiled faintly.
It was also a rare occurrence.
“I won’t deny it.”
“Why? Thinking of retiring?”
“No matter my position in the outside world, now I’m just a hunter here. My profession is a swordsman. If a swordsman retires from the sword, it’s only at the moment of death when the sword slips from his grasp.”
"......."
“I’ve been watching you. Not surveillance, no, not that. Ah, there’s a more suitable term.”
The tension around seemed to grow thicker.
Mostly due to the Black Dragon Master glaring at the Sword Saint.
The Sword Saint nodded as if understanding her pressure. But that was it. The Sword Saint wiped the smile from his lips and spoke softly.
“I was testing you all.”
Test.
The Black Dragon Master let out a scoff.
“Still speaking from a high and mighty position. Who are you to test someone...”
“If.”
The Sword Saint said.
“If the King of Death had accepted your [purge], I would have done everything to kill the King of Death.”
"......."
“Right here, right now.”
At that moment, the encirclement was complete.
Ester drew the red sword and confronted the Sword Saint. The Four Demon Lords formed ranks as though supporting Ester. Sssring! Sssring! The metallic sound of drawn swords rang out from every direction. A thousand Demonic Cult followers hid in the jungle shadows and behind palm trunks, forming an encirclement from which they could charge at any moment.
Not one of them uttered a word. Thousands of pairs of eyes silently watched the Sword Saint’s hands, feet, waist, and eyes. Their gazes divided his body limb by limb.
The moment the Sword Saint ignited aura or harbored killing intent, a thousand swords would mutilate him along those dividing lines.
"......."
But the Sword Saint only kept his eyes on me.
I slowly sheathed my sword back into its scabbard. The Black Dragon Master nudged my shoulder, but it didn’t matter.
“Sir.”
I too looked into the Sword Saint’s eyes.
“I know you would never harm me.”
"......."
The old swordsman’s eyes were clear.
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