NOVEL NEXT chapter 354 - Interaction Choices
1.
It was only right.
There was no reason to spare a pathetic life that couldn't even believe in its own potential.
Kill it.
Destroy it.
Eradicate it.
The overwhelming murderous intent grew uncontrollably, and not only the mighty right arm but also the followers who had been watching anxiously screamed in terror.
“Master, we’re going to die!!”
“If her eyes turn like that, won’t we all be dead?!”
“The aura she has is comparable to Baek Ryeong Shin-Gun…! Incredible. Did the enemies of the Silent Swordsman always have to fight against this kind of killing intent?”
Killing intent at such a level forced a physical reaction.
The trajectory of the murderous energy, as real as a blade cutting through the skin, slashed through the air and forced hallucinations.
One step further, and it could paralyze all reason and senses, making one experience the sensation of death in an instant.
Absolute priority over life and death.
The weight of the absolute killer’s murderous intent was undeniable.
The Silent Swordsman’s subordinates could feel it deeply.
[▶Never speak like that again.]
The mighty right arm, which had once embraced death, was now overwhelmed by the sheer terror of not wanting to die.
There was no courage to ask for a beheading in front of the Silent Swordsman, who had gathered that same murderous intent once more.
The enemy knight who had risen to kneel in solidarity with the others also froze in place, paralyzed by the beautiful yet brutal gaze that swept over them.
Even kneeling before the defeated was not permitted.
Still, no one doubted the capabilities of the Silent Swordsman and her followers.
She had already proven it.
Her strength.
And had demanded it.
To rise from defeat.
Thus, those who considered themselves her subordinates should never kneel and beg for forgiveness.
“Repentance is only allowed on the battlefield, with the blood and corpses of the enemy. Truly a cruel master.”
“Another step, and I’ve moved further from humanity…”
With the casual tone of Bugi-gul and the bitter voice of the wandering merchant echoing behind, the chaos of the battlefield came to an end.
This marked the end of their allotted time, the final chain of inevitability.
[The Silent Swordsman’s phase has ended.]
The ruler of the great country advances to the next phase.
[Story Mode]
[Great Demon Side]
The General of the Bear was wiped out.
The five generals representing the Great Demon faction led a full-scale attack with their legions.
To have overcome that would be a monumental task, even for Baek Ryeong Shin-Gun.
[The only true adversary to challenge the dominance of Ban-Yo-Gok, the Silent Swordsman. The labor I put into guarding against you was not in vain.]
[The price paid was not small. The news that will spread to the front lines will cause a massive impact.]
[The two gains obtained in exchange for all those sacrifices are not light.]
The Great Demon realized.
What he had lost.
And beyond that, what he had gained.
[With the loss of the right arm, the life of the swordsman, the time left for the forbidden immortal is now even shorter, and its end is imminent.]
[A foolish enemy may not miss an opportunity, but they will never breach the layers of defenses set up by my forces, so the pilgrimage of the predator will not be stopped.]
With the Silent Swordsman and Baek Ryeong Shin-Gun’s feet bound, the struggle for supremacy in Ban-Yo-Gok neared its conclusion.
[The day the feast journey ends, a new moon shall rise in the dark sky.]
[Shedding the old body, a true form worthy of the Demon King’s name shall emerge.]
The Great Demon.
The demons of the inland fields welcome his appearance.
[The feast journey begins.]
[The field that the Great Demon visited is destroyed.]
[The inhabitants of the field are transformed by the power of the Great Demon.]
A giant pillar of light incinerated their bodies.
All that remained were the Great Demon’s footprints and the ruined field.
The pilgrimage of the predator.
The feast journey.
The Great Demon’s festival, calling for more demon blood and death, hungered for more.
[Story Mode]
[Baek Ryeong Shin-Gun Side]
He knew it well.
No matter how many times he tried, he would never be able to surpass it.
The overwhelming advantage of the Great Demon’s grand strategy, which didn’t even allow a single opportunity for a mistake.
[The celestial cycle has been disrupted.]
A huge crack formed in a wall so strong that removing a single stone wouldn’t make it collapse.
Reality was denied, and for the first time, the future they had been peering into shattered.
[Silent Swordsman, the greatest swordsman of all, has finally cut through the chain of fate.]
[The slim hope has now grown large enough to be seen, but the road toward that fate remains as thorny as a briar path.]
On Baek Ryeong Shin-Gun’s shoulder,
A single petal of the white mandala, which had bloomed like a flower, fell into the air.
There were six petals left.
After today, he would have only six chances.
His strength and time were finite.
Just as the Silent Swordsman’s strength and time were finite.
Yet today.
He had obtained what the Silent Swordsman could not.
[What have you seen from the distorted future, and why have you come to seek the old loyal minister?]
The head of the demons and the leader of the half-demons.
A foolish servant who chose to become evil to fight evil.
A guest had arrived in Baek Ryeong Shin-Gun’s camp.
[Immortal.]
Behind the curtain.
An observer who merely watched the despair of the secular world.
The master of the extinguished temple, with hands respectfully clasped, bowed his head.
[For an immortal who follows the will of heaven, what other purpose could there be?]
[There is only one wish.]
[Everything must return to its rightful place.]
The one and only future liberated from the cycle of endless repetition.
[The pioneer joins Baek Ryeong Shin-Gun’s camp.]
[The power of the divine spirit enters Baek Ryeong Shin-Gun’s camp.]
The one who wished to become the master of that future was not only the player.
On the other side of the silver curtain.
Among the countless futures, the long-silent observer finally raised their head.
【Turn 5】
[Silent Swordsman Phase (Ended)]
[Great Demon Phase (Ended)]
[Baek Ryeong Shin-Gun Phase (Ended)]
[All phases have ended.]
[Turn ends.]
【Turn 6】
[Silent Swordsman Phase]
[Great Demon Phase]
[Baek Ryeong Shin-Gun Phase]
[Silent Swordsman Phase begins.]
【Silent Swordsman Phase】
[Select a faction strategy.]
[This turn allows 2 strategy selections.]
[You have 2 strategy selections left.]
【Faction Strategies】
Meeting (Obtain advice, Expand map)
Investigation (Obtain information, Obtain items, Discover talents)
Attack (Invade fields, Expand faction)
Station (Defend field, Recover from injuries, Reinforce forces)
Scheme (Activate events)
Diplomacy (Activate events)
Special (Activate events)
All actions of independent factions are skipped during the Enemy Phase.
The actions of the two main enemies, the Great Demon and Baek Ryeong Shin-Gun, will define the flow of the game.
‘Despite all that has happened, is the player still the one being chased by time?’
The Great Demon’s hunt continues.
He is sweeping through his territory, devouring every demon he encounters in the inland areas.
There have also been significant changes in Baek Ryeong Shin-Gun’s faction.
The immortal being who had been referred to by the Great Demon’s clone has joined his ranks, a powerful figure capable of understanding her inaction.
‘Our immediate enemy is the Great Demon, but no one can predict how long this balance will last.’
The real-world enemy, Doctor Johan II.
Aside from him, the Great Demon and Baek Ryeong Shin-Gun are the greatest threats in Ban-Yo-Gok.
As long as they exist, the ending Ha Eung Eung desires may never come.
It was as wild as the Great Demon’s beastliness.
It was as much like Baek Ryeong Shin-Gun’s celestial cycle.
To compare it with the instinct of martial artists.
The insight of heroes, tempered by overcoming destinies as thorny as briar paths.
‘The time when I feared that is long gone.’
To avoid suspicion from Doctor Johan II, what is needed here is not Ha Eung Eung, but the Silent Swordsman.
In this cruel ravine, stained with the stories of humans, half-demons, and demons, actions are required that match the nature of the place.
Unlike Ha Eung Eung, who, even when fate pushes her, can take a step back and regain her composure,
The Silent Swordsman, on her brutal first journey, does not have such coldness behind her actions.
That is right.
At this moment, she divided herself into two.
Her real-world self, Ha Eung Eung.
Her virtual self, the Silent Swordsman.
She could not afford to forget Mark 2.
She could not deceive herself, so she could never deceive Doctor Johan II either.
What kind of person is the Silent Swordsman?
What choice would the Silent Swordsman make?
The answer is found in the bloodstains of the path she has walked and in the blood on her lone hand.
[▶Attack]
[Select the field for the attack.]
The Silent Swordsman’s phase.
No hesitation is allowed in her advance.
【Field Options】
Advance to the ruined capital.
Raid the rear supply depot on the frontlines.
March to the city of the unquenchable lanterns.
Embark on an expedition to the exiles of the scholars. (Action 2 times)
Before her decision, one spear rose in her mind.
“You didn’t forget the price of borrowing the special forces in the last war, did you?”
[Special Forces Leader
Then, Dutta’s advice followed.
“The special forces took significant ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) damage too! If you don’t cooperate now, you’ll be in an irreparable hostile relationship with Baek Ryeong Shin-Gun’s faction!”
[Advisor
Of course, the Silent Swordsman was not afraid.
The one who wields the sword does not hesitate.
[▶3. March to the city of the unquenchable lanterns.]
The expedition leader Nine immediately gestured to her subordinates.
“You’ll regret today’s decision.”
[Expedition leader
【Interaction Options】
[Regarding the departure of the expedition, you...]
Ignore it.
Persuade them. (Success: Temporary ally joins)
Lead the entire army to pursue. (Consumes 1 action)
Secretly follow and ambush. (One legion departs)
Although there was no formal pact, it was true that she had used their misunderstanding.
Letting go of an enemy who could become a future threat wasn’t the way of a martial artist, but launching an unworthy attack even after borrowing their strength wasn’t the way of the Silent Swordsman either.
[▶1. Ignore it.]
[The expedition has left.]
Letting the expedition go without resistance did not raise suspicions among her subordinates.
However, the decision regarding their destination raised questions.
Instead of the enemy knight or the mighty right arm, the focus turned to a demon who could match the Silent Swordsman’s presence.
Bugi-gul, the former lover of the Great Demon, the plunderer of the demon stone pouch, the exploitative laborer, reluctantly asked for her behalf.
“Chasing the Great Demon’s trail should have already opened up the capital. Why attack the city of the unquenchable lanterns?”
“……”
“Tch. Pathetic. Enough with the cowardly questions. I’ll ask again, in my own way.”
Red eyes gleamed from within the bag.
“Human. Your actions are no different from the Great Demon, obsessed with predation. And the murderous intent in your horn, too.”
“I don’t care whether the power you borrowed came from the demons or the immortal’s taboos. I have only one question to ask.”
“Are you in control of your power?”
Of course.
How could she not control her own power?
She had an obvious answer to the obvious question.
【Interaction Options】
[To Bugi-gul, who questions your control over your power, you...]
Yes.
No.
I don’t know.
Does it matter?
The spear before her seemed to ask this, as if questioning whether this was true or not.