The Swordmaster Wants To Live Peacefully [EN]: Chapter 9

Swordmaster Wants to Live Peacefully – Episode 9

Swordmaster Wants to Live Peacefully 9

Forest of Death (2)

The reason why Abyss frequently appeared in Sehyun City was due to remnants of the past.

In the past, shortly after the Abyss first appeared.

When the system for managing Abyss and Divers was still rudimentary.

In Sehyun City, formerly known as Sejong City, an event called the ‘Great Disaster’ occurred.

In an era when Abyss were classified from Grade 1 to Grade 8, but only categorized from D to S, an Abyss surpassing S grade manifested in Sehyun City.

A literal disaster.

The Abyss appeared suddenly, drawing in surrounding creatures, and threatening to unleash a torrent of monsters if left unchecked.

The emergence of numerous S-grade Abyss and one surpassing S-grade was a catastrophe that struck South Korea.

Monsters pouring out of the Abyss ravaged cities and slaughtered people.

Numerous monsters, each possessing special-class danger levels, emerged in overwhelming numbers, proving impossible to contain.

Divers from across the nation sacrificed themselves, barely managing to hold back the Abyss.

To be precise, the monsters were driven back into the Abyss, and the gate sealed.

They weren’t killed, but forced out.

The monsters that had utterly destroyed Sejong City vanished into the Abyss as if their hunger was sated.

This event wasn’t isolated to Korea; it was a simultaneous worldwide calamity.

It was a time when the entire world was stained with death and plunged into stagnation.

Moreover, that wasn’t the end of it.

Abyss began to appear more frequently in locations where high-grade Abyss had previously manifested.

Currently, Sehyun City experiences an Abyss appearance rate six times higher than other cities.

In the past, the dimensional wave spread outward from the site where the ‘Special Grade’ Abyss appeared, creating numerous low-grade Abyss.

“So, you’re saying that today, a high-grade Abyss appeared.”

Yuseongwu and Yujiu were in Seo Yeonjeong’s car, traveling from the underground training room of Meteo Industries.

The Abyss had appeared near the city hall in the central district.

It was a densely populated area, making it imperative to prevent any monsters from escaping the Abyss.

Furthermore, the Abyss that appeared was Grade 2.

A Grade 1 alert was issued, prompting the evacuation of surrounding residences and the summoning of Divers of B grade or higher within Sehyun City.

The ‘Abyss Rush,’ the imminent surge of monsters from the Abyss, was only hours away.

“That’s right. Given the location, Divers are being assembled for a comprehensive defense,” Seo Yeonjeong replied.

Divers of B grade or higher affiliated with Meteo Industries followed behind Seo Yeonjeong.

The area near the city hall, visible through the window, was teeming with people.

Among those gathered to confront the Abyss were several S-grade Divers, including Yujiu.

Soon, Seo Yeonjeong brought the car to a halt after passing through the military’s control line.

“A Grade 2 Abyss right before the rush……,” Yujiu muttered, staring at the black hole after exiting the car.

To engage a Grade 2 Abyss, which represents the upper tier, a team consisting of 2 S-grades and over 10 A-grades is required.

A Grade 1 Abyss demands more than double that number.

“……This is driving me crazy.”

A Grade 2 Abyss is comparable to a past S-grade Abyss.

It’s a place where creatures like the Snow White Death that Yuseongwu defeated in the ‘Frost Forest’ might appear.

Moreover, the impending Abyss Rush signifies a substantial number of monsters within.

Yujiu sighed, while Yuseongwu crossed his arms, his expression troubled.

Yujiu, as one of the few S-grade Divers in Sehyun City, proceeded to the barracks to participate in the strategy meeting.

Yuseongwu waited with the Divers of Meteo Industries.

Before long, Yujiu emerged from the barracks and announced, “B grades and below will prepare for a potential rush outside, and all A grades and S grades on site have been assigned for deployment.”

“What’s the total number?”

“Four S grades and twenty A grades. Internal exploration is also challenging, so they’re emphasizing the need for overwhelming firepower and a swift boss raid.”

A total of twenty-four people.

There are over ten S-grade Divers in the country, but only four were available for deployment.

Dimensional wave measurements indicated that the Abyss Rush was imminent.

With no time to await Divers from other regions, Divers from various companies and guilds, including those from Meteo Industries, began preparing for battle.

“What are you going to do, Oppa?”

“I’m D grade, so I can’t go in.”

“That’s true, but…….”

“I’ll follow along later on my own. Go ahead first.”

“How are you going to get in…… No, you’ll manage on your own. Then, see you inside.”

“Yeah.”

Yuseongwu, after responding to Yujiu, vanished in an instant.

Yujiu was startled by Yuseongwu’s sudden disappearance and looked around.

However, he was nowhere to be seen.

He had disappeared from everyone’s sight in a blink.

Anyone who could have captured his appearance would have witnessed an unbelievable sight.

That’s because Yuseongwu was still standing next to Yujiu.

By dramatically suppressing his presence, even minimizing his breathing and heartbeat, he had completely merged with nature.

Unless someone possessed extraordinary sensitivity, no one would notice.

Yuseongwu also realized that he was undetectable and maintained his suppressed presence.

After some time, the Abyss attack team was assembled.

The Grade 2 Abyss was named ‘Forest of Death’ after the initial exploration.

It was time to venture into the forest-filled hell.

* * *

Four S-grade and twenty A-grade Divers entered the Grade 2 Abyss.

The moment they stepped into the Abyss, they felt suffocated.

The oppressive humidity weighed down their bodies.

A place where even breathing was a struggle.

Before them lay a hellscape choked with trees.

Moss covered every stone, the trees were colossal, and the bushes were thorny.

Within the forest, the monsters’ intense killing intent permeated the air.

A place teeming with monsters capable of turning a city into ruins once the Abyss Rush commenced.

This was the Grade 2 Abyss, ‘Forest of Death’.

“We will divide into teams. Four teams, each with one S-grade and five A-grades, will eliminate monsters in their designated direction and then regroup near the boss’s habitat,” announced Hong Seohwa, the ‘Crimson River Dragon,’ who was leading the raid among the S-grade Divers.

The information gathered inside the Grade 2 Abyss was limited.

The entrance was secured, but reconnaissance drones revealed four distinct paths through the dense forest.

It was a unique type of Abyss where the path to the boss would only open after defeating all the intermediate bosses at the end of each path.

“It shares a similar structure with the S-grade Abyss, ‘Crimson Forest,’ which our predecessors raided. However, do not be complacent simply because of the similarities, and remember to proceed with caution.”

She bowed deeply.

It was a gesture of gratitude to those who had entered the Abyss with her, risking their lives for the sake of many.

A rare trait among S-grades.

Yujiu also encouraged the Divers in her team, and soon the S-grade and A-grade Divers split into four groups and entered the forest.

The moment the Divers, led by Yujiu, stepped into the bushes, Yuseongwu appeared beside her.

He hadn’t fully released his presence, but it was perceptible enough for Yujiu, the S-grade Diver beside him, while remaining unnoticed by those following behind.

The fact that their vision was narrowed due to heightened nervousness also contributed.

Yujiu, startled, covered her mouth to stifle a scream and whispered, taking a breath, “O, when did you get here?”

“I’ve been next to you the whole time. I’m suppressing my presence so others can’t detect me, so speak quietly.”

Yujiu nodded slightly.

The five A-grades in her party weren’t all from Meteo Industries.

Only two were from Meteo Industries, while the remaining three were from other guilds.

“I’ve done some light scouting inside.”

“What’s there?”

“Monkeys. Um, no, gorillas?”

Yuseongwu hesitated, trying to describe what he had seen.

The face resembled a monkey, but the body was the size of a gorilla.

The red eyes and long limbs allowed them to climb trees with ease.

“Anyway, those guys are everywhere. It won’t be easy to break through.”

“……I see.”

“But on the contrary, it’s a good opportunity for you. A chance to put what you’ve learned into practice.”

As Yujiu nodded, Yuseongwu walked ahead.

When she looked at him, questioning his destination, he replied, “I’m just going to look around for a bit.”

If you visit someone else’s house.

Shouldn’t you greet the owner?

* * *

The method of closing the Abyss, ‘Complete Capture,’ is straightforward.

It involves killing the boss monster inside the Abyss and breaking or retrieving the ‘core,’ also known as the heart of the Abyss, which the monster possesses.

The ‘core,’ containing immense power, is a valuable research subject and power source, fetching a high price on the market.

However, with great reward comes great risk.

The boss monsters wielding the core’s enormous power are formidable adversaries.

“Strange, strange.”

Yuseongwu stood before the boss of the Forest of Death.

By suppressing his presence, he could deceive even the keenest animal senses.

With silent steps, Yuseongwu navigated through the branches, bypassing the towering monkeys over 3 meters tall, and ventured deeper into the Forest of Death, past the intermediate boss, arriving at the cave at the forest’s end.

Deep within the large cave, a gorilla, larger than any he had encountered, sat with its back to the entrance.

Even in a seated position, its height appeared to exceed 6 meters, suggesting it would easily surpass 10 meters when standing.

Yuseongwu, standing behind the monster, experienced a sense of déjà vu.

“Why does it always feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before?”

He wasn’t referring to its appearance.

The creature was a grotesque, giant gorilla unlike anything he had ever seen.

However, the energy emanating from the monster felt strangely familiar.

The energy of something he had beaten up several times before.

It evoked a strong urge to attack it immediately.

Having beaten it up repeatedly in the past, he even anticipated the satisfying sensation of striking it.

It was a feeling he was experiencing for the first time since returning to Earth, prompting him to release his suppressed presence to confirm the source of this déjà vu.

Then, the monster’s head, previously facing away from the exit, slowly turned.

It gazed at Yuseongwu, who stood confidently behind it.

Sharp teeth protruded menacingly from its bright yellow eyes and protruding mouth.

The monster’s face was repulsive.

As soon as the monster saw Yuseongwu, it opened its mouth wide and unleashed a deafening roar.

Kwwaaaaaaaah-!!