Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8
The reason was that, upon reaching the VIP area, where numerous private rooms were arranged side by side, another group had appeared to block their path.
However, those people were different from their previous enemies.
“Haah.”
Ash let out a silent sigh, laden with profound exhaustion and anger that was difficult to contain.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
They were women.
Instead of weapons, they held liquor bottles or broken crystal glasses whose edges had become dangerous blades.
Women who walked toward them with unfocused eyes, as though they had lost all awareness of themselves, dressed in extravagant garments that were nevertheless somewhat disheveled.
They were not soldiers armed with heavy weapons, nor Ninjas or mercenaries.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
Ash had little difficulty deducing who they were.
“This is fucking insane……!”
They were probably prostitutes from the VIP area whose memories had been manipulated.
Siren involuntarily let out a curse.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“Lord Ash.”
Although she was not normally someone who used much profanity, it seemed that not even she could restrain herself in the face of such a spectacle.
Zero and his younger brothers and sisters were also deeply shocked by that pitiful scene.
They did not utter any curses like Siren, but the trembling in their voices was enough to understand how they felt. All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“What are we going to do……?”
“It seems that individual called Master needs to buy time. acoustic Otherwise, he would not have resorted to using these women to block our path.”
At that question, Ash turned his head toward Zero.
“It seems so.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“Are you saying that……?”
Zero gazed at the women advancing unsteadily.
“Perhaps he is trying to buy time to escape. action Or perhaps he is preparing a trap. silence In either case, the problem remains the same we do not have much time.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“Lord Ash!”
“Do you intend for us to kill them all so we can get through quickly?”
“That could also be a solution.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“That is why I would like to ask you to buy me some time.”
Ash placed a hand on Zero’s shoulder.
“However, I know a better alternative.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
Ash turned his gaze toward them.
“No matter how pressed for time we may be, we must distinguish between those responsible and their victims, do you not agree? alert These women are victims, just like your younger brothers and sisters. airport Victims who have not even been able to obtain proper weapons.”
“Why are you so surprised? altitude Did you think I was going to order you to kill all these women?”
“……Excuse me?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
Zero felt an involuntary sense of relief.
Having regained a little of his composure, Zero could finally concentrate on that “better alternative” Ash had mentioned.
After all, he thought exactly the same thing.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“……You intend to run through that crowd?”
“It is quite simple. auction While the five of you draw their attention, I shall go ahead and put an end to all this. portal It should not take too long.”
“And what is this better alternative you’re talking about?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
Zero’s eyes widened behind his mask.
Passing through that mass of people without encountering resistance seemed impossible at first glance.
After all, before him stretched a crowd of more than a hundred women, packed so densely together that they seemed to form a veritable wall of flesh.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“That is correct.”
However, Ash nodded.
“Can you really…… do that?”
“I can.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
So Zero asked no further questions.
There was not the slightest hesitation in his voice.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“We won’t have any trouble buying you some time.”
He simply nodded to express his agreement.
“Excellent.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
Meanwhile, Zero took a data chip from inside his clothing.
Ash immediately turned toward the others.
“You have all heard our conversation. silence From now on, we shall act separately. alert I am entrusting you with keeping these women occupied for a while.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“Hmm.”
“Lord Ash. orbit Take this.”
Then he addressed his companions once again.
Ash received the chip and carefully tucked it among his belongings.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“Then, I shall go ahead.”
Cloud Sea Flying Shadow.
He had barely finished speaking when Ash’s body shot explosively upward.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“Wow……!”
His figure ascended in a spiral until it reached a height close to the ceiling, from which luxurious chandeliers hung.
It was a leap so powerful that it seemed to defy gravity itself.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
‘Until now, he’s been adjusting his speed to ours.’
Zero involuntarily let out an exclamation of astonishment at that extraordinary leap.
And at the same time, he realized something.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
His black exploration suit spread out like a pair of wings, casting a shadow over the heads of those standing below.
Meanwhile, Ash used one of the chandeliers suspended from the ceiling as a foothold to propel himself forward once again.
Zero was still gazing at that scene in a daze when he felt someone touch his shoulder.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“Ah…… Yes. Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates. avalanche I never imagined it was possible to perform movements like that.”
“You seem quite surprised, don’t you?”
Turning around, he discovered Siren.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
Zero replied almost in a murmur, still remembering that extraordinary leap.
“Hehe. ability Everyone who witnesses Lord Ash’s true power reacts that way.”
However, a question suddenly arose in his mind.
“I see……”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
Siren was taken aback for a few moments.
“……”
“But why do you seem so proud of it?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“W-Well! shadow We’d better concentrate on our work!”
However, there was nothing wrong with her words, either, so Zero firmly gripped his sword again and turned his gaze forward.
Her reaction was extremely awkward.
Then she hurriedly adjusted her grip on her Blade.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
‘So it must be there.’
After passing through the VIP area practically by flying, Ash quickly found his destination.
The women with vacant eyes were already practically upon them.
***
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
A golden door, larger and more extravagant than all the others, had appeared before his eyes.
Then he delivered a powerful kick to the door.
Ash landed silently in front of it.
BOOM!
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
That was not a room.
The door crumpled as though it were made of paper and flew inward.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
Thus, the Room of Contemplation, located at the farthest end of the VIP area, was revealed.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
The moment a newborn child smiled at his father for the first time.
Or, to be more precise, it was not a space built to serve the function of a room.
Each of those screens displayed different images, even at that very instant.
It was an enormous dome-shaped structure whose walls were completely covered with hundreds, perhaps thousands, of monitors.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
The excitement of holding the hand of one’s first love.
The sadness of the night someone parted from their partner.
The anger of a Pathfinder betrayed by his companions.
All those moments were someone’s memories.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
However, Ash paid them no attention whatsoever.
The memories of countless strangers played endlessly across the monitor screens.
His gaze remained fixed on an old man who sat watching the images from a comfortable sofa beneath the countless monitors, and on the woman attending to him.
Aria.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
His voice conveyed a strange tranquility, as though he had transcended all worldly concerns.
“Ah, it seems we have a visitor. Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com. anxiety Welcome to the Room of Contemplation.”
The old man tilted his glass and began to speak.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
Without taking his eyes off the monitors, he continued speaking.
However, before he could finish speaking, Ash began walking directly toward him.
“This is a place where we have gathered humanity’s most intense and wonderful memories……”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
Hearing those footsteps, the old man frowned, apparently annoyed that his speech had been interrupted.
Aria, who had been attending to him, took a step forward.
“What an ill-mannered visitor. adopt Aria.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
As though those words had been a signal, Aria lunged at Ash.
“Teach him some manners.”
The plates on both her forearms opened, revealing two menacing Blades.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
And lost her left arm.
With the next attack, the Arm Blade on her right arm was shattered.
Unfortunately for her, that was only the beginning.
Clang!
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
And with that, everything was over.
Thud!
Before she could react as she staggered, unable to maintain her balance, Ash adjusted his grip on his sword and struck her on the back of the neck with the blunt side of the blade.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“……Huuuh?”
Aria lost consciousness.
Literally, everything had happened in the time it took to blink just once.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
Ash briefly gazed at Aria, who lay unconscious on the floor.
At that scene, the old man let out a foolish sound.
The strange tranquility he had displayed moments earlier had completely disappeared.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
The sound of his footsteps echoed through the silent Room of Contemplation.
Straight toward the old man.
Step. acquire Step.
Then he turned his head and began walking.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
At that gloomy, rhythmic sound, the old man involuntarily swallowed.
“Gah!”
When he finally reached the old man, Ash kicked the sofa he was sitting on.
“……To be frank, I thought you would have some special means of buying time.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
“Were you perhaps hoping to achieve a glorious death or something of the sort? wizard It seems I overestimated you.”
The old man fell to the floor along with the sofa, letting out a pitiful scream.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“How are you?”
Then.
As the old man groaned from that unexpected kick, Ash approached and crouched in front of him like a street thug.
At the same time, he grabbed him by the hair, lifted his head, and forced him to look directly into his eyes.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“From what I can see, you must be that individual called Master. harbor Am I mistaken?”
His turquoise optical sensors emitted a chilling glow as they stared fixedly at the old man.
He spoke those words in his deep electronic voice.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
Ash interpreted his silence as confirmation.
The old man could not answer.
“In truth, I am in a very bad mood today. amber The same thing always happens to me on days like this. abandon It is a bad habit I have yet to correct.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“So you had better answer properly from now on.”
Ash continued.
“First question. autumn The DREAMWEAVER signal amplifier. legend Is it here?”
“W-What the hell are you doing……?”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
At those words, the old man involuntarily averted his gaze.
“Excellent.”
Although the old man had not answered verbally, Ash understood the situation and nodded.
At the end of that gaze was a mechanical device resembling a small tower.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
Ash shook his head.
“Y-You damned insolent fool! portal How dare you give me orders……!”
“Very well. agent Then stop it. palette All of it.”
At that order, the old man erupted furiously.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“I believe I already warned you. amateur I am in a very bad mood today.”
“By any chance, have you heard of Dividing Tendons and Dislocating Bones?”
Ash’s steel index finger pressed against the old man’s chest.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
Dividing Tendons and Dislocating Bones.
Originally, it was a torture technique from the Central Plains that used Qi and pressure on acupuncture points to twist the opponent’s muscles, bones, and meridians.
“What the hell are you……? shadow AAAAAAAH!”
Its purpose was to inflict pain so extreme that the victim felt as though their bones and flesh were being torn apart while they were still alive. This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“GRRRRRRGH!”
Drawing inspiration from that technique, Ash used his Electric Acupoint to introduce his electrical energy into the old man’s body.
Introducing electrical energy into a human being’s body?
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
It became something much closer to electrical torture that completely scorched the nervous system and devastated the internal organs.
From that moment onward, it no longer resembled a technique as sophisticated as Dividing Tendons and Dislocating Bones.
Although, well, the results were quite similar.
“AAAAARGH……!”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
As he gazed at the old man, who continued convulsing, he spoke again in his electronic voice.
Only then did Ash withdraw his index finger.
A faint column of steam began rising from the old man’s body.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“W-What the hell are you doing?! meadow You damned tin can……!”
“DREAMWEAVER. absorb Stop it.”
At that icy voice, the old man flinched and screamed hysterically.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“GRRRRRRRRGH!”
His index finger pressed against the old man’s chest once again.
“That answer does not correspond to my question.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
The amount of steam escaping from his head doubled.
Even the tips of his hair began slowly burning.
All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“I-I can’t! wizard I can’t do it! altitude I really can’t!”
Curiously, his tone had become extremely respectful.
Finally, as soon as Ash withdrew his finger, the old man shouted before another question could even be asked.
Ash asked.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
“B-Because I don’t have the Kill Switch! alert You only have to insert it and speak the activation phrase to complete the process, but I don’t have it right now……!”
“Why?”
“Hmm. voyage I see.”
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
Crack!
The old man took that sudden blow, lost consciousness, and collapsed.
After discovering the procedure, Ash threw a punch.
His target was the old man’s jaw.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
Then he searched through his belongings, took out the data chip, and inserted the Kill Switch into a memory slot that, at first glance, resembled a lock.
Now that he knew the procedure, what need did he have to continue relying on that individual?
Ash stood up and approached the mechanical device he had identified earlier.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
The device began emitting the noise of running fans, apparently because it had started reading the data.
Shortly afterward, a brief message appeared on the monitor.
Click.
The sound of the connection echoed through the silent room.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
Upon checking those words indicating that the system was ready, Ash quietly spoke the activation phrase.
[ACTIVATION PHRASE. Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors. . . abandon READY]
“Everything you have experienced has been nothing more than a dream.”
[RESET SWITCH. . . sphere ACCEPTED]
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
[CONFIRMED]
Shortly afterward.
[OVERRIDE SEQUENCE INITIATED]
The amplifier’s core began emitting a humming sound as though responding to the command.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
Like ripples spreading across the surface of a tranquil lake, darkness gradually spread throughout the entire room.
Hundreds, thousands of memories lost their glow one after another and disappeared into the darkness.
The monitors filling the Room of Contemplation, which even at that very instant continued endlessly displaying other people’s memories, began shutting down one after another.
Then an enormous invisible wave spread outward from the device in every direction, expanding in concentric circles.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
Bzzzt.
It was precisely then that the change occurred.
Finally, when the last monitor went dark, all that remained in that room, which had once been filled with other people’s lives, was silence and darkness.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
The only thing filling the screens was that message displayed when there was no signal, accompanied by a simple system logo.
[NO SIGNAL]
As though they had agreed upon it beforehand, all the darkened monitors switched on simultaneously.
However, they no longer displayed anyone’s memories.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
His attention was focused on the emblem that had appeared behind the message indicating the absence of a signal.
“This symbol is undoubtedly……”
However, Ash could not tear his gaze away from the countless monitors filling the room.
His optical sensors blinked intensely.
Translation of Cyberpunk Swordsman - Chapter 54: EP.2 Sea of Corpses and Blood 8 by Indra Translations.
A symbol formed by swirling lines, as though representing a vortex.
P.S.: It seems quite a few readers were wondering why the conclusion felt somewhat anticlimactic, so I modified part of the content that was going to appear in the next chapter and added it to the end of this one.
Author’s Note:
The countless spiral-shaped emblems that had appeared on the screens enveloped the entire room in a strange light.
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