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Chapter 662: Secret Duel (4)

‘Witnessing a war? Does that mean a war has already broken out?’

In effect, this time it was no different from the Authority system issuing a warning.

That the prisoners present would soon begin tearing into one another.

And in reality, too—

Shaaaarak!

The Grade 3 prisoners near Yeongwoo began launching attacks filled with killing intent.

―At last, the time has come!

―Good! Let’s use this chance to decide who the real strong one is!

When hundreds of Grade 3 beings gathered and fought, that itself became a war.

Kwaaaaeaeaeat…!

Movements far too fast for Yeongwoo to follow even the edges of erupted from all directions, and whenever he sensed something strange, only afterward could he see someone’s head already slammed into the ground.

‘No, these lunatics. Are they really living just for today? They’re fighting this suddenly?’

It was chaos itself.

On top of that, Yeongwoo couldn’t even tell how the presidents were distinguishing friend from foe. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

And what was even more astonishing—

Swaeaeaeaeak!

Despite countless sword energies and blades being viciously swung from all directions, Yeongwoo, standing in the middle of it all, did not receive even a single scratch.

Even in the midst of this, everyone was still fulfilling their obligation toward a beneficiary of grace.

‘The universe… really is impossible to understand.’

In any case, through this opportunity, Yeongwoo realized why evildoers should never be gathered in one place, and he felt like he now clearly understood why they had been imprisoned in Pahalufe.

These were people who behaved this recklessly not even a day after escaping.

So before they were imprisoned, just how many atrocities must they have committed?

Not only were they foul-tempered and unpredictable, they also possessed tremendous power.

‘What should I do in this situation? Should I just collect only those who survive after the war ends?’

As Yeongwoo looked toward the Earthship in the distance, its massive silhouette looming, someone suddenly grabbed his shoulder harshly.

Kwaak!

“…?”

It was none other than the long-haired man, Quiad.

―Are you going to keep standing there? It would be better to leave while you have the chance.

“…Excuse me? But….”

Yeongwoo turned his gaze back toward the Grade 3 prisoners locked in fierce battle.

“When this fight ends, there’ll be at least a hundred ownerless swords left behind.”

At those words, Quiad made a dumbfounded expression for the first time.

―It truly was inevitable that you would end up with us.

Then he pointed toward Tiape and Poachi, who were mixed in among the evildoers over there.

―But before this battle ends, those two will die.

“Ah.”

It meant that if he wanted to save the two do-gooders, he had to leave this place, regardless of spoils or anything else.

‘No, actually, the cost-benefit doesn’t add up.’

From the perspective of the universe’s balance, saving two Grade 3 do-gooders was obviously extremely valuable…

‘But I’m a small-time operator. Balance or whatever—what matters is me getting stronger right now.’

Still, the thought of sitting here waiting until the two do-gooders died didn’t sit right with him either.

‘If it was going to end up like this anyway, why did they even bother making those people cross paths with us?’

For the first time, Yeongwoo asked Typesetter.

But of course, no answer came back, and Yeongwoo soon made his decision.

“Let’s go. Either way, the end of this chaos is unpredictable, right? We can’t afford any more variables.”

As soon as Yeongwoo said that, Quiad shot forward like lightning and confronted the prisoners near the do-gooders.

Then, speaking in a low voice to the two who looked flustered, he said—

―The planetary shipmaster may be crude, but he is not evil. Chase after him before it’s too late.

―…!

At that, Tiape and Poachi turned without a word and headed toward Yeongwoo.

Because they knew very well how arrogant it would be to act prideful among hundreds of Grade 3 evildoers.

Paaaat!

As the two do-gooders left their positions, the prisoners immediately tried to chase after them, but Quiad blocked their path.

Kaaaang!

―If you wish to go further, prove your strength.

* * *

An emergency escape from the secret dueling arena that had turned into a battlefield.

Seeing the two do-gooders running toward him, Yeongwoo asked urgently,

“What about you? President Quiad?”

At that, Tiape glanced slightly back and spoke.

―It seems he’s buying us time. It’s unpleasant to say, but it would be best if at least we leave first.

Tiape, who led Delmir—one of the three great do-gooder families.

She had far too much to lose to die meaninglessly here.

“No, but still—are do-gooders really going to end up indebted to an evildoer?”

―This is a disaster we did not intend. If there is one who intended it, then it is probably…

Tiape’s gaze turned beyond the sky, toward the universe.

She was implying that Typesetter was behind this.

―Even so, a debt is a debt. I will not forget what happened today.

As Poachi said this, he was already clashing swords with a prisoner rushing in from the side.

Kwaeaeaeang!

―If it’s alright, let us hurry! I cannot take a life!

While Poachi shouted this, Tiape stepped into the engagement and severed the prisoner’s neck.

Shaaaarat!

A completely different disposition from Poachi, who followed a doctrine of non-killing.

“Uh…? Even so, you’re a do-gooder—are you allowed to kill your opponent?”

Startled, Yeongwoo asked with wide eyes, and Tiape flicked the blood off her blade as she replied.

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―Subduing great evil is itself a virtuous act.

“Ah.”

Having roughly grasped both of their dispositions, Yeongwoo quickly turned his gaze outside the battlefield.

There, in the distance, he spotted another group of prisoners gathered in a dark mass.

They were none other than evildoers of Grade 4 and below.

When the presidents started fighting, they had retreated far away to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

“We should take those people with us and leave.”

At that, Tiape stared at Yeongwoo in shock.

―Wouldn’t it be better to restore balance at this opportunity?

She was suggesting they leave those prisoners behind in this wasteland.

But those prisoners gathered over there were also future assets for Yeongwoo.

After all, he held claims of owed grace over each of them.

“What kind of nonsense is that? All those bosses over there are on my side.”

As Yeongwoo pulled out a Return Stone from his chest and began running toward the “bosses,” Tiape and Poachi had no choice but to follow him.

Because if not now, they would surely end up remaining on this planet with the Grade 3 madmen.

―How did things end up like this…?

As Tiape muttered in a voice as if she were dreaming, Yeongwoo asked what he had been curious about.

“By the way, how did you two end up here? A secret duel between do-gooders?”

―……

Tiape hesitated uncharacteristically, and soon Poachi Shalmoram spoke instead.

―We were passing on a secret art.

“A secret art? Like some kind of ultimate technique?”

―This cannot take life, so it cannot be called an ultimate technique.

“No, I mean—”

As Yeongwoo’s brows furrowed in irritation, Tiape let out a short breath and said,

―The Shalmoram family currently has no successor. So someone must inherit the swordsmanship of Shalmoram.

“And that… someone is you, ma’am?”

When Yeongwoo glanced at Tiape, she nodded.

―Excluding Teroph, among the do-gooders in this galaxy cluster, I am the one most likely to survive the longest.

“But you almost died today.”

―……

Perhaps having nothing to say, Tiape quietly closed her mouth.

“No, then wouldn’t it make more sense to find somewhere secure and heavily guarded to receive instruction? Why come all the way out here?”

―The swordsmanship of Shalmoram can only be performed by a single being. Therefore, it must never be leaked to anyone. Even if that person is a vassal of Delmir.

“What? But you just said you were passing it on…?”

―Which is why, once the transmission is complete, Poachi will lose that swordsmanship.

“What?”

A concept he had never heard of in his life.

“You’re saying that if you teach someone your swordsmanship, you yourself can no longer use that martial art?”

Just how powerful was this swordsmanship?

‘Was that why Quiad knew the name Poachi?’

Yeongwoo subtly rolled his eyes and stole a glance at Poachi’s profile.

‘A powerful sword art that can still be executed even with only one eye…’

Then another question arose.

“Then once the transmission is complete, won’t Master Poachi become completely useless? How are you planning to live after that?”

It was an extremely rude way of speaking, but Poachi didn’t mind at all.

―I am already dying. The end of the journey set for me by the universe is near.

“Ah, so you’re going to pass away naturally.”

In this universe, being able to die of old age meant one was that powerful.

In other words, to prevent such a powerful swordsmanship of Shalmoram from disappearing entirely, Tiape was receiving the secret transmission.

And once the transmission was complete, Poachi would have to prepare for death.

“Hmm.”

At this point, Yeongwoo grew curious about Poachi’s age, but there was something more urgent.

―P-Planetary shipmaster!

―Are we returning now?

―Hurry! If we’re not careful, we’ll get dragged into the fight too!

The Grade 4 and 5 prisoners, having spotted Yeongwoo running toward them, were shouting in a panic for a retreat.

Well, who would understand the terror of Grade 3 prisoners better than they would?

In response, Yeongwoo raised the Return Stone high and shouted to everyone,

“We are returning to the planetary ship shortly! Those who wish to preserve their lives, gather here!”

At that, hundreds of prisoners rushed toward Yeongwoo all at once, and soon after, from the distance, with a massive roar, Quiad was seen shooting up into the sky.

Puuuooong!

He had broken through the Grade 3 battlefield to join the return formation.

―Depart!

From midair, Quiad shouted urgently.

And no wonder—Grade 3 prisoners filled with killing intent were chasing right behind him.

And almost simultaneously, Earth conveyed a message through consciousness.

○ Hey, you’re alive, right? A message just came from Chancellor Herisa.

‘What?’

○ If you have a prisoner, they’d like to receive them as soon as possible.

‘Ah.’

Hearing this, Yeongwoo quickly turned his head and looked at Quiad, who was crossing through the air.

The “prisoner” Chancellor Herisa mentioned was most likely him.

Kwaaaaat!

Moreover, at that very moment, Quiad was descending right above the heads of the Grade 4 prisoners, so Yeongwoo immediately pressed the Return Stone and said,

‘Tell Chancellor Herisa this. We’ve secured the prisoner, but we’ll need some additional payment.’

○ Additional payment?

‘She’s still a person—if she has any conscience, she must’ve prepared something, right?’

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