Solo Swordmaster – Chapter 139

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“‘Special Construction Act, enacted.’”

The moment Limon and Eugene clashed, Vellus acted. While their attention was focused on the fight, he quietly activated his skill.

And the building began to transform.

Rumble!

“What the…!”

“He’s escaping!”

The floor cracked, forming new staircases. Pillars sprouted from the ground. Walls shifted. The building warped around Vellus.

Hampered by the ‘Law Prohibiting High-Speed Movement’ and ‘Law Prohibiting Bipedal Locomotion,’ the Silent Dragon Unit, having lost sight of Vellus as he ascended a newly formed pillar, tried to pursue him.

“There’s no need to chase him. Stay in formation.”

Yo Ouin stopped them, watching Vellus ascend towards the lobby’s ceiling.

“Someone else will deal with him.”

Unaware that the Silent Dragon Unit had ceased their pursuit, Vellus continued reshaping the building, heading towards a window, intending to escape through it.

“‘Great Wall,’ ‘Spatial Severance.’”

But his plan failed. A massive wall materialized before him, blocking his path. Then, a blade of energy sliced through the pillar he was standing on.

Vellus grabbed a nearby railing, narrowly avoiding a fall, and glared at the one who had thwarted his escape.

“Don’t interfere.”

“Unfortunately, I’m the temporary security guard here today. And my contract requires me to interfere.”

The man with the single lens, Lee Cheon-gi, replied calmly. Vellus stared at him incredulously.

“Ha! A Monarch, reduced to a mere lapdog for the Seven Dragons Association for a few pennies? Are you out of your mind?”

It was a sentiment many would share. In this Iron Age, Monarchs were absolute rulers, wielding power and influence that could shake nations.

For a Monarch to work as a security guard was absurd, like using an aircraft carrier as a fishing boat.

“It wasn’t my first choice, but I received an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

“Did they promise you the entire Leviathan?”

“No, something far more terrifying.”

Lee Cheon-gi’s answer was calm and composed, as if he had simply accepted a reasonable offer.

‘What kind of offer could that be?’

Vellus was puzzled.

He doubted money was the motivation.

Perhaps the Golden Monarch would be swayed by such an offer, but the other Monarchs could easily amass wealth by conquering dungeons.

‘A rare item? A beautiful woman?’

He stared intently at Lee Cheon-gi, trying to discern the nature of this irresistible offer.

‘No, it doesn’t matter.’

He scoffed.

Whatever Lee Cheon-gi’s reason, it was irrelevant. Lee Cheon-gi was his enemy, and he had a mission to complete.

“I didn’t want to fight you, as per the wishes of those above… but if you insist, I’ll show you your place.”

“I wouldn’t say such things lightly.”

“You think I can’t defeat a mere lapdog of the Seven Dragons Association?”

“It’s just a piece of advice.”

Lee Cheon-gi’s voice remained calm despite Vellus’s murderous intent.

“It’s fine if you win, but I recently learned that it’s incredibly embarrassing to lose after talking big.”

Vellus’s face flushed.

The advice, though sincere, sounded like mockery coming from Lee Cheon-gi.

“You should heed your own advice, lapdog!”

Vellus roared, opening his law book.

Lee Cheon-gi snapped his fingers.

“‘Insect Infestation, proposed.’”

“‘Octagonal Barrier,’ ‘Small Flame Formation,’ ‘Flame Torrent.’”

KABOOM!

A swarm of insects materialized, only to be incinerated by a wall of flames erupting from Lee Cheon-gi’s barriers. It was just the beginning.

“‘Electric Utility Act, enacted.’ ‘Electric Chair, proposed.’”

A web of sparks flew towards Lee Cheon-gi as an electric chair emerged from the ground, its leather straps reaching for him.

It was an inescapable execution chamber.

“‘Electric Resistance,’ ‘Lightning Rod,’ ‘Charged Spear,’ ‘Projectile Acceleration.’”

The sparks bounced off a faint glow surrounding Lee Cheon-gi, then converged on a spear that materialized in mid-air.

The spear, crackling with electricity, shot towards Vellus like a bolt of lightning.

“‘Electrical Safety Act, enacted.’ ‘Gas Chamber, proposed.’”

Vellus blocked the spear and retaliated with a cloud of poisonous gas. It was a battle worthy of a live broadcast, a spectacle of superhuman abilities.

Each of them single-handedly utilized skills that would normally require an entire party, seamlessly switching between offense, defense, support, and recovery, even changing elemental affinities on the fly. And Vellus, a mere Grand Duke, was holding his own against the Infinite Monarch.

‘What’s going on?’

But Vellus was growing increasingly anxious.

‘Why can’t I gain the upper hand?’

He had been confident of victory. ‘Rule of Law’ was a cheat skill, allowing the Lawful Grand Duke to fight on par with even the Summoning Monarch.

And now, empowered by ‘Constellation Descent,’ his skills were amplified, his stats exceeding even those of Monarchs. He should have been able to overpower Lee Cheon-gi.

‘It can’t be a skill matchup problem.’

He dismissed the thought.

Lee Cheon-gi, with his thousands of skills, could adapt to any opponent. But his ‘Rule of Law’ was equally versatile.

‘I’m injured, but that shouldn’t matter.’

His injuries from the fight with Li Chingwei made close combat difficult, forcing him to maintain his distance.

But even if he were at full strength, he would have adopted the same strategy against Lee Cheon-gi, who had dominated Eugene in close combat.

‘Why? How?’

He should have been winning. The expected outcome eluded him, and he couldn’t understand why.

“Are you surprised you can’t defeat me?”

Lee Cheon-gi’s sudden question startled him.

“…Using ‘Mind Reading’ during a fight? You must be very confident.”

“I didn’t read your mind. It’s just written all over your face.”

Vellus retorted, launching a volley of needles with his skill. Lee Cheon-gi melted the needles with a shimmering, acidic barrier.

“Frankly, I’m more surprised by your confidence.”

“You think it’s natural for me, a mere Grand Duke, to lose to a Monarch?”

Vellus scowled.

As a Specter of the Liberation Brigade, blessed by a great power, he wouldn’t tolerate such condescension, even from a Monarch.

But Lee Cheon-gi hadn’t intended to insult him. He was simply expressing his genuine surprise.

“No, I’m surprised you’re so confident given how you’re using your skill.”

“What nonsense is this?”

“Your skill usage is… strange.”

“Don’t criticize my skills when you know nothing about them.”

“You’re right, I don’t know much about your skill. But I do know a thing or two about stealing and using other people’s skills.”

Vellus was silenced.

Lee Cheon-gi was the Infinite Monarch, the master of ‘Skill Replication,’ capable of wielding thousands of stolen skills.

“Your skill’s power and control are impressive. In some ways, even better than mine.”

Lee Cheon-gi readily acknowledged Vellus’s strength. He was at Monarch level.

His skill’s power, his stats, his combat experience… he had surpassed the limitations of a Grand Duke.

“But your skill combinations and applications are… rudimentary.”

“…!”

The problem was his lack of versatility.

Even mid-level players could utilize their skills in various ways. Vellus’s skill usage was far too simple. And the reason was clear.

“I understand you haven’t had much time to practice, since ‘Rule of Law’ belonged to the Lawful Grand Duke… but…”

The Lawful Grand Duke had disappeared a few years ago. If Vellus had acquired the skill then, it was natural for him to be unskilled in its use.

But even considering that, his skill usage was too simplistic.

“Did you acquire that skill… legally?”

“…”

“Perhaps you obtained ‘Rule of Law’ through unorthodox means, relying on its raw power and your level to win easy fights?”

Vellus didn’t answer, his expression hardening. His silence spoke volumes.

Lee Cheon-gi nodded slowly.

“I had a feeling something was off. I see.”

“What does it matter how I use my skill? Do you think all skills belong to you?”

“Of course not.”

Vellus, feeling exposed, snapped defensively.

Lee Cheon-gi replied calmly,

“It’s none of my business. Except that watching you makes me remember my own embarrassing past, when I relied on skill spamming, and it makes me want to break things.”

“What are you…?”

“So, for the sake of my mental health, let’s end this quickly.”

Vellus frowned, then flinched.

Lee Cheon-gi ran a hand through his hair, as if calming himself. The hair parted, revealing a vacant, unfocused eye. It wasn’t just the unsettling sight of the empty eye.

It was the chilling aura emanating from it that sent shivers down Vellus’s spine.

Lee Cheon-gi’s voice, low and menacing, echoed through the room.

[Overload].

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