Ch 125
『Title: No, how am I supposed to stop this Face Thief’s infiltration?!』
Content: Watching this, all I can say is that it’s just a goddamn mess.
I’ve been banging my head against a wall for three hours now, and it just sucks.
-: It’s your fault.
-『Author』: Hahaha, what?
What did I do wrong? Tell me.
Do you know what I did and how?
-: When it gets too goddamn frustrating,
you should just go, “Oh, that’s how it is,” and move on, but
I tried to overcome that frustration, yeah.
-『Author』: Oh.
-: Seriously, you dare try to achieve something within the game?
You try to avoid a shitty development?
You should suffer some losses.
-: Every time I come here,
I feel that the people here have a really high understanding of the game.
-: Developer: Get frustrated here.
User: Yes.
Developer: Get angry here.
User: Yes.
Developer: Despair here, struggling with powerlessness.
User: Yes.
-: But aren’t the high-IQ players who truly understand this game the ones who tasted whether this game is shit or not and escaped before being infected by the shit poison?
-: Shut up.
-: Yeah, we don’t need those guys in our game.
Guys like the Author who waste their time and emotions banging their heads against a wall are our true comrades.
-『Author』: Damn it!
-『Author』: But seriously, is this really unsolvable?
I want to solve it even out of spite.
-: Setting a password < Anyway, found it.
Deciding on an item that can prove identity < Anyway, obtained it.
Maximum caution < Anyway, poisoned him to create an opportunity to steal his face.
Real-time copying of face + voice + ability is possible there.
How do you stop this?
This guy is just James Bond.
Anyway, he did it.
-: James Bond, who was scratching his crotch at home, was startled ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-: “Chief, I can’t do that ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ”
-: Stop the showdown with the game and just send in the Special Forces, yeah.
At least you let me kill him in the boss battle.
-『Author』: Ugh.
✦✦✦
Face Thief.
His infiltration was perfectly executed.
Lisir.
It was so perfect that the brief setback caused by being consumed by the mental image contained within the sword stolen from that guy was insignificant.
As someone put it, his infiltration produced only perfect results, as if the process had been omitted.
After shaking off the Murderous Sword’s mental image and returning to Brien’s form, she returned to Goose Manor where the Special Forces were.
She broke through the Special Forces’ caution and infiltrated their ranks to gather information.
Information that Toua, who had been asked by Dray, periodically met with Lisir to teach him swordsmanship.
After determining the exact cycle and time, she approached Lisir.
She fed him a poisoned dish and rendered him defenseless.
Thus, she attended the meeting with Toua in Lisir’s stead and got the chance to steal her sword.
It was an absurd infiltration created by combining the Master Assassin’s skills with the Faceless One’s Remains’ abilities.
If someone were to question the Face Thief, “How?”, he had a prepared answer.
Anyway, he succeeded.
Because that absurdity could not be explained or understood.
Therefore, it is impossible to detect, let alone counter.
The Face Thief’s infiltration was perfectly executed and deserved a perfect conclusion.
But why?
The Face Thief’s infiltration was detected, and he faced the worst possible situation.
Lisir.
Entirely because of his existence.
“How…”
The Face Thief naturally questioned.
How was all this possible?
Lisir responded to the Face Thief’s question with a nonchalant expression.
-Anyway, he succeeded.
That nonchalant expression seemed to say so.
“…”
Face Thief.
It was the moment when the absurdity he possessed was covered by something greater.
✦✦✦
▷Fate 74: Face Thief ━ Deactivated.
The corresponding bonus will be given.
✦✦✦
The unexpected experience of being in the other person’s shoes gave the Face Thief a violent emotional upheaval instead of deep realization.
‘Damn that guy…!’
The Face Thief’s imitation of Lisir’s plain impression crumbled.
He glared at Lisir with intense hatred.
He wanted to tear the guy who ruined everything to shreds right here and now.
‘No, calm down.’
However, he was the one who had risen to the position of Master as an Assassin.
Even in this situation, he perfectly controlled himself and observed the situation.
This is the backyard of Goose Manor.
Their base.
Special Forces Commander Toua was watching him with sharp eyes right beside him.
Her hand was on the sword at her waist.
The confrontation had already begun.
The moment one side acts, the battle will begin immediately.
‘I don’t feel any other presence around. This isn’t an ambush. It’s a simple discovery. In other words, only the Special Forces Commander and that mutant are here.’
The Special Forces Commander was a 7th Rank Lieutenant Swordsman.
The exact abilities of the mutant are unknown, but his realm itself remains at the 6th Rank Rear.
It’s possible.
If he wanted to, he had the confidence to take on both of them simultaneously and take their lives.
‘But, it would take quite a long time. It would involve a huge commotion in the process.’
This was the heart of the enemy’s territory.
If the battle started, enemy reinforcements would arrive soon.
‘By then, it would be too late to escape.’
He already knew what the best choice was.
‘If I seriously try to escape, there’s no way for them to stop me.’
‘There’s even less of a way to pursue me.’
‘It’s a shame that I can’t steal the Special Forces Commander’s sword, but-‘
‘It’s fine. No need to rush. As long as the Faceless One’s Remains are here, time is on my side. This world is in the palm of my hand.’
The Face Thief made a motion to reach for the sword at his waist.
Toua and Lisir stepped back, creating distance.
This made it easier for them to prepare for battle, and conversely, harder to catch the escaping Face Thief.
It was exactly as the Face Thief intended.
Just as everything was about to fizzle out with the Face Thief choosing escape as the best option.
-You ignorant pest! How long do you intend to imitate that appearance!!!
Summoned by Lisir-
No, the grayish-white Fire Spirit that Lisir took out.
It shouted towards the Face Thief.
-I want you to bring a mirror right now and show me your pathetic form!!!
-That foolish appearance of trying to imitate the sun without knowing your place and burning yourself up!!!
-It’s time to wake up from your dream!!!
-Live a life crawling on the ground, befitting your station, and have a humble heart that is grateful for it!!!
-You clown who has no talent other than wearing a mask!!!
-Now, wear the most pathetic mask you have, the mask of your true form!!!
The would-be sub-demon, whose existence was impersonated, poured out words of curse filled with rage.
“…”
A greater shock was inflicted on the Face Thief’s pride, which was already cracked by repeated shocks.
His face flushed red, and his eyes were bloodshot as if soaked in blood.
The mental image of the Murderous Sword, which he had barely shaken off, dug into his emotional turmoil and tried to consume him once more.
‘Calm down!!!’
The Face Thief scolded himself inwardly.
He mustn’t get caught up in the provocation.
The path to his victory is not to perish with them, but to escape this place.
They will be worried about his existence and suffer from endless anxiety.
He mustn’t ruin things because of momentary pride and emotion.
He must stick to the decision he made when his mind was still somewhat clear.
Escape. Right now.
The Face Thief’s reason shouted.
-Tsk. Pathetic guy.
Then, another voice was heard.
Another spirit summoned by Lisir-
It was a Girl Spirit with blue short hair.
She looked at the Face Thief and showed genuine humiliation.
-It seems that you tried to imitate Lisir’s sword and were consumed by its mental image. Absolute imitation ability to someone who doesn’t even know their place… Yes. Enjoy that ability while you can. Because in the end, it will be that ability, and nothing else, that kills you.
“Aaaaaah!!! You pathetic things!!! I’ll kill you all!!!”
Would-be sub-demon.
Murderer.
Driven mad by the two spirits who know how to strike at a person’s reverse scale better than anyone, the Face Thief’s eyes completely rolled back.
He drew his sword and lunged.
Toua stood in front of him.
The battle began.
“Commander Toua! I will provide cover!”
Lisir immediately increased his magical power and asked Dangaleon.
‘Dangaleon! Why did you suddenly provoke that guy!?’
-I thought about what I would do if I were that pest! He probably intended to escape!!! That pest’s ability is truly like a pest, so it’s more worrisome when it’s not visible!!!
‘So, you provoked him so he couldn’t escape? For the best outcome?’
-Keeping such a foolish pest in the palm of my hand is nothing!
‘Oh… You were truly demonic just now.’
Lisir admired him purely.
-Kuaaaak!!! What a great compliment! The very peak of ecstasy━ no, wait!!! Master! I am not a demonic and unclean being!
‘I understand, so tell me from a non-demonic viewpoint. How should we deal with that guy.’
For the past few days.
Toua had truly taught Lisir swordsmanship in order to lure out the Face Thief, and most of that instruction was in the form of sparring matches.
Toua’s skill, having surpassed the early stages of 7th Rank and reached the Lieutenant rank, was overwhelming.
Lisir had never gained the upper hand in his sparring matches with her.
“Kugh…!”
Yet, the Special Forces Commander was being pushed back against the Face Thief.
-Certainly, he’s a difficult opponent.
Klana, who had been watching with her arms crossed, said.
-The ability to wield the magical power of the late 7th Rank and multiple swordsmanship techniques simultaneously. It’s not an opponent that Toua, that woman, can handle.
‘Then, he would be an overwhelming opponent for me as well.’
-Normally, that would be the case. But, don’t you have my sword? With that enhanced ability added to it━ your sword can definitely reach him.
“…”
Lisir looked down at his hand with a serious expression.
-What? Could it be, just now-
Breath Step performed in an enhanced state.
It was a technique that Lisir could only fully perform by pouring everything into it in perfect condition.
And, Lisir was currently experiencing overload from using the enhanced ability with the password（?）.
Even if he used that technique in his current state, the precision and perfection would be lacking, and the side effects would be significant.
-Then, instead of trying to do something alone, call for support first. The fact that you two are not enough to deal with him doesn’t change. I should have said this first, but I only remembered now. Damn it.
‘Oh, don’t worry about that.’
-What’s there not to worry about? You’re not going to say some nonsense about taking him down with your own strength, are you?
‘No, I’ve already requested support. I sent a signal to Magnus, who was waiting nearby.’
-What? When the hell-…
‘When I said I would provide cover just now. While diverting their attention by saying I would provide cover, I actually requested support.’
Magnus, appearing from the other side of the backyard, confirmed the situation and immediately charged at the Face Thief, drawing his sword.
“No, how is it already…!”
He couldn’t hide his surprise at the unexpectedly quick arrival of support.
A momentary wavering in breath and sword.
They didn’t miss that opportunity.
The Face Thief, who had been relentlessly pushing Toua with his superior realm and unorthodox swordsmanship, was instantly driven to the defensive.
-…What kind of guy is this.
Klana muttered, looking at Lisir with disgust.
✦✦✦
Lisir immediately joined the joint attack.
While providing cover with a sandstorm, he carefully watched the battle situation.
‘Damn it, their level is ridiculously high.’
His expression contorted.
That speed. Strength.
The magical power contained in the sword and actions.
The battle of the 7th Rank Swordsmen was literally taking place on a higher level than Lisir’s.
He couldn’t even think of getting involved.
If he could leave the close combat to the two of them and end the situation with long-range support, it would be ideal, but-
‘He’s a real monster.’
The Face Thief mercilessly crushed Lisir’s expectations.
Toua and Magnus’ swords relentlessly pressured the Face Thief from both sides.
The combination of the two Masters, who had fought countless battles together, was like one body.
Nevertheless, the Face Thief did not easily get caught up in their combination.
When the combination showed signs of gaining momentum, the Face Thief invariably changed his swordsmanship to break their flow.
With each passing exchange, the Face Thief’s interference became more cunning.
He began to steal Toua and Magnus’ swords and interfere with their combination.
He, who had been on the defensive, was regaining his momentum.
Even while being subjected to a joint attack by the two.
“Kugh━”
“Monster…”
A temporary stalemate.
Toua and Magnus’ groans erupted in the meantime.
Lisir sensed it.
That it would inevitably become a war of attrition.
When additional support arrived and the Face Thief was completely subdued.
Someone among them would be lying down. Definitely.
A decisive blow was needed.
A decisive blow that could break through the Face Thief’s unreasonable countermeasures.
“!!!”
That’s when it happened.
Lisir’s pupils dilated.
His senses had detected a gap in the Face Thief’s defense.
‘I have to do it now!’
Lisir set aside all thoughts and drew out all his strength.
Thump!
His magical power went berserk, beginning to draw out more power than its limit.
Thud.
Thud.
Lisir closed the distance with the Face Thief, matching the speed of the enhancement.
The moment all preparations were complete.
“Move aside, both of you!!!”
Toua and Magnus moved aside simultaneously, creating a path between Lisir and the Face Thief.
Lisir’s body cut through the wind and raced down that path.
All the actions of Breath Stealing were fully unfolded.
The moment Lisir, who had instantly approached the Face Thief’s immediate vicinity, swung his sword at him.
“Cough!”
Blood gushed from his mouth.
The moment he tried to imbue his sword with energy, his limit arrived.
“Ugh…!”
The Face Thief grabbed his neck and kicked Lisir away.
Lisir’s body flew.
Magnus and Toua quickly ran to catch his body.
Meanwhile, the Face Thief checked the hand that had been gripping his neck.
A smile appeared on his lips.
‘Shallow.’
Lisir’s strike had failed.
And-
“Lisir, are you alright!?”
“Cough…!”
Lisir was bleeding from every opening in his face.
Severe symptoms of overload.
The biggest source of anxiety was eliminated.
“Khahahaha!!!”
The Face Thief burst into laughter, looking at Lisir, who was coughing up blood in Toua’s arms.
It wasn’t just the joy of seeing the enemy’s suffering.
He was feeling a surge of exhilaration.
The enhanced ability that had supported Lisir’s attack just now.
The Faceless One’s Remains had finally stolen even that unfathomable ability.
‘Yes!!! This is it!!! This is the Faceless One’s Remains!!! He is nothing before this power!!!’
The memory of being consumed by the mental image when he stole the guy’s sword came back to him.
But now, he was letting his instincts take over.
The Face Thief was instantly elated by that omnipotence, and willingly accepted everything that power brought.
“Aaah…”
The Face Thief fell into ecstasy.
Power is surging.
Power is surging and surging.
Power is surging and surging and surging and surging and surging and surging and surging and-…
“…?”
The Face Thief’s ecstatic expression suddenly changed.
Something’s wrong.
The moment he belatedly felt a sense of unease and tried to take action.
Drip.
A hot liquid flowed from his eyes like boiling water.
Then from his ears-
Then from his nose-
Then from his mouth-
“…???”
He bled from every opening in his face without understanding.
Something’s wrong.
He looked at Lisir to find the cause.
Lisir, dying like him due to the side effects of this power-
“Huh?”
He said calmly and got up.
He was also bleeding from every opening in his face, but his expression was serene.
✦✦✦
▷Fate 74: Face Thief ━ Deactivated.
The corresponding bonus will be given.
…
…
…
『Experience Points are automatically distributed』
■Lisir
Level 60（58） > 59
Status effects have been recovered.
『Status Effect: Overload（High）』
✦✦✦
“…”
Lisir scratched the back of his head, looking at the Face Thief.
-Anyway, that’s how it turned out.
It was as if such a voice could be heard.
Soon, he assumed a posture as if nothing had happened.
The dried bloodstains on his face are covered with newly flowing blood.
He quietly spoke to Toua and Magnus.
“Let’s go see him before he comes to his senses.”
Toua and Magnus, who had not yet come to their senses, did not react.
✦✦✦
Translator’s Blog
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