nyslfriends Chapter 177: Skirmish (2)
Chapter 177: Skirmish (2)
Chapter 177: Skirmish (2)
An alias was no different from a title.
Its effects could range from minimal to creating unimaginable events.
There was once a city where 100,000 people lived, but it became infected with a plague, turning everything alive into zombies. A being who drained his life force to save half of the city’s population earned the title of “Saint” from the world after that event.
And although he was just a mid-tier being, he was elevated to the highest rank.
There were refugees.
Belgium was destroyed by the treacherous Nazi Empire. Refugees, trying to survive, headed to other countries but were almost wiped out by a horde of monsters.
A hero, calling himself a knight, risked his life to lure the monsters away and save the refugees. Even though the strong often intimidate others with their strength, he later became one of the highest-ranked members of the Round Table Knights, a position only accessible to the most elite.
An alias represents one’s rank.
A rank was a power that transformed real-life stories lived on Earth into strength. It was also the power of belief.
Alias, Savior.
A remarkable alias was born. And this alias was something that everyone in the world acknowledged when they looked at a particular person.
Returnee, Jin Seo-hyun.
The greatest hero, often hailed as the most magnificent.
When the world was at its most chaotic, he stood alone against demons and saved citizens. He called himself and those in his group heroes, and they acted in a manner befitting that name.
Doctors and nurses recited the Hippocratic Oath and the Nightingale Pledge, and heroes started respecting Jin Seo-hyun, and behaved heroically.
They created an association for the rights of heroes.
They protected Europe from the threat of the Nazi Empire.
They worked with the Hundred Temple to contain those known as the Great Evils.
Some said that when China was in danger, it was Jin Seo-hyun who split what could have become two into dozens, and called him a hypocrite. But that’s mostly what Chinese people said.
The world generally called Jin Seo-hyun a savior.
But Jin Seo-hyun’s alias was Returnee.
Despite his unfortunate end, he was the greatest hero.
The world bestowed the form of his alias upon someone. This alias spread rapidly across the globe.
Heroes and related individuals.
It wasn’t just a matter of stories. Heroes were a significant topic among civilians. Celebrities and actors were overshadowed by heroes, who also occupied the interests of streamers and YouTubers for a long time.
Heroes, in short, are distinguished yet very close to civilians.
-Wow, that’s really short and intense. Alias, Savior. Isn’t that just insane?
-Really... I’m so jealous of the person who got that alias, even though their name is hidden.
-Isn’t it that Masked Man?
-It might be Veritas. He is truly our light. The savior who saved us from ignorance.
-Please, Veritas Cult, go away.
-For real, our Veritas is a god. But I do want that savior alias.
-Stop desiring it! This is a hero gallery!
-Ha ha, so what? Our Veritas is a hero and a god too.
-From now on, this gallery belongs to the Veritas Cult. Any objections?
-Alias, Savior is awesome. Why doesn’t Japan have heroes like that?
-Japan has the Sword Saint.
-That guy feels inferior to the Returnee and hides in the mountains training. He might not even know if the Returnee is dead.
-Ha ha, sad but true. Can’t deny it.
-At the beginning of the Great Chaos, it seemed like Japan would dominate the world. Why is it a country worse off than Korea now?
-There’s only one country in the world that can match Korea: the US.
-Eek!
Not wanting to see Black Heaven enjoying herself, Eternal Heaven glared at her.
-Seo-ha! Then I’ll work hard on the chores, can I bully those who get in the way?
‘Do it moderately.’
-M-Master?!
Silencing the noisy Black Heaven, I grabbed the Black Heavenly Demon Sword. A cold sensation flowed through, and Defying Heaven fluctuated.
While learning swordsmanship, I realized one thing. I was too focused on creating sword energy.
Hwaruk.
The flame of sword energy ignited. Flames formed from splitting the strands of sword energy into dozens. The Black Flame Splendor became even stronger.
Hwoooong!
The flame of sword energy swelled. It soon disappeared, transforming into the shape of a cloud made of threads. Sword Cloud. One of the sword energies taught by Black Heaven.
-You’re already familiar with it.
‘Yes, it’s more fun than I thought.’
Swordsmanship training was fun.
Indeed, being good at something made it enjoyable.
["Sword Demon (S+)" proficiency has increased. The proficiency of Sword Demon has reached its maximum.]
["Sword Saint (Ex)" talent has been identified. The user's talent growth is halted.]
“...”
Hmm, had I already reached this stage?
Originally, I should move on to “Sword Saint (Ex)”, but “Sword Saint (Ex)” already had an owner. The only ways to obtain “Sword Saint (Ex)” were to kill its current owner or surpass them purely in swordsmanship.
‘It’s not a big deal since there’s another way.’
I looked at the “Black Flame Divine Sword (S+)”.
It was still only S+ rank, but with effort, it could reach Ex rank. Normally, it would be impossible, but with the Black Flame Splendor and the Black God Martial Arts as its foundation, it wasn’t.
“...”
I stopped walking.
My senses told me to be careful. The space drawn by the circle of martial arts narrowed. The surroundings fell into an eerie silence.
‘Did I step into a trap?’
No, that wasn’t it.
These people were being tracked by some entity. And by coincidence, I happened to roll into their direction.
‘I’m relieved.’
I sighed in relief.
It was fortunate it was me and not someone else.
-Who is it?
A voice echoed quietly, filled with an unmistakable demonic energy.
I drew the Black Heavenly Demon Sword and thrust the Autumn Sword into White Rouge.
‘Are you ready?’
-Yes!
Eternal Heaven responded with a spirited voice.
I charged at them.
At those Nazi scum.