Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant novel Chapter 288

Only then did Su-ho understand the difference between Gu Byeong and Su Byeong.

Gu Byeong was Gu Byeong (Mouth Soldier), and Su Byeong was Su Byeong (Hand Soldier).

“Gu” and “Su” literally referred to mouth and hand.

Naturally, his face twisted into a grimace.

‘At this point, I really want to see what this Gwaeslam guy looks like.’

Just what kind of freak would come up with something this grotesque?

The newly appeared Su Byeong assisted the Gu Byeong, who couldn’t draw the Guiyeong Spear on his own due to his short arms.

And then—

“Haha, you showed off some cheap tricks, but in the end, you're nothing more than a commoner.”

Not some screech or growl—actual spoken words.

A voice rang out from the darkness, soon followed by the speaker revealing himself.

And when Su-ho saw the figure, he was momentarily at a loss for words.

“...What the hell is that?”

His curiosity was immediately satisfied.

The creature's name was Gwaeslam.

Proof of that was floating right above his head.

— Gwaeslam Lv.???

A name card displayed above, the level still marked with question marks.

But that wasn’t the important part.

Compared to Gu Byeong and Su Byeong, this creature was colossal—and far from the appearance of a normal knight or mage. It looked exactly like the Meat Golem Su-ho knew all too well.

Even worse, it had four arms and four legs.

And to top it off? A fully intact human face was embedded in its chest, and the voice was coming from that face.

Gwaeslam.

Su-ho sighed and muttered,

“Acting exactly the way you look... Is this really all you've got?”

“Fufu, even though you got knocked down in one hit just now, you’re still brimming with confidence?”

“That was because I didn’t know what I was dealing with. Anyway, if you’ve got more to show, bring it out all at once. I hate dragging things out.”

“Huhu, I am working on some new creations, but for now, these two are all I’ve brought. Still, now that I’ve stepped onto the field, what can you really do?”

“If you’re curious, why don’t you find out for yourself?”

With that, Su-ho once again summoned the Guiyeong Spear.

He then imbued it with Holy Enchant and hurled it at Gwaeslam with all his strength.

[Throw Spear is activating.]

Shraaaaa!

The thrown spear tore through the air toward Gwaeslam.

Immediately, Su Byeong sprang forward, gathering all the arms on its body into a massive hand, trying to catch the spear mid-air.

‘Knew it.’

[Shadow Movement is activating.]

At that moment, Su-ho used Shadow Movement to teleport to the location of the spear. He swung his Blood Sword in a flash of motion.

[Steel Severance is activating.]

[Enhancement is applied.]

[The power of Steel Severance increases significantly.]

Screeee—

A slash of red and white light exploded along the arc of his strike.

Su Byeong’s massive hand was cleaved clean off.

“...!”

Startled, Su Byeong flinched.

But it didn’t scream.

Not because it was holding back.

Because it had no mouth.

Unbothered, Su-ho swung his sword again.

[Steel Severance is activating.]

[Steel Severance is activating.]

[Steel Severance is activating.]

A chain of slashes tore Su Byeong to shreds.

Meanwhile, Gu Byeong let out a scream.

“HuuaaAAAAANG!!”

“HuuaaAAAAANG!!”

“HuuaaAAAAANG!!”

[Gwaeslam’s Gu Byeong uses Boss Monster-grade Fear.]

[Gwaeslam’s Gu Byeong uses Ultrasonic Wave.]

But Su-ho neither flinched nor took damage.

Baekgeunchu was still active.

He could cut without a care.

To deliver the final blow, Su-ho used Enhancement again and swung his sword.

[Steel Severance is activating.]

[Enhancement is applied.]

[The power of Steel Severance increases significantly.]

Shraaaak!

[You have defeated Gwaeslam’s Su Byeong.]

The powerful Su Byeong was sliced in half.

And behind the split corpse, Gwaeslam’s face emerged.

Something felt off.

By now, Gwaeslam should have joined the battle.

But ironically, the bastard just stood there grinning.

‘Alright then. Let’s see how long you keep smiling.’

Su-ho immediately turned and thrust his Blood Sword at the still-wailing Gu Byeong.

[Steel Severance is activating.]

[Enhancement is applied.]

[The power of Steel Severance increases significantly.]

Shraaaak!

[You have defeated Gwaeslam’s Gu Byeong.]

The process was the same.

Since Gu Byeong specialized more in indirect attacks than physical ones, he was far easier to shred than the brute-force-oriented Su Byeong.

And yet, Gwaeslam still didn’t move.

Su-ho wiped the blood off his blade and stared at him.

In response, Gwaeslam folded his upper two arms across his chest and sneered.

“Fufufu, have you had your fun?”

“You just stood there and watched on purpose?”

“Of course. Watching a commoner flail about is rather entertaining.”

“You’ve got to be kidding. You’re not even pissed off?”

“Haha! Why would I be angry? What you destroyed were merely toys stitched together from leftover scraps after I made myself. Why would I care?”

“Most people get pissed when their toys break.”

“Fufu, how very common of you to think that. If it were something precious, sure. But to me, the most precious thing is me. I’m the real deal. Wasting emotion on something trivial? Pointless.”

“Impressive confidence for a meat puppet stitched together from corpses.”

“Kuhahaha!”

Gwaeslam burst out laughing.

Then he spread his crossed arms and spoke with a mockingly merciful expression.

“Pitiful little commoner. Rather than explain a hundred times, better to let you experience it. I’ll give you a special chance. Strike me. And as you slam into the wall of your limits, despair as much as you want. Then, I’ll take pity on you and merge you with that princess you’re carrying.”

“...Wow.”

Su-ho let out a quiet sigh of admiration.

People should really learn to be humble.

If the bastard had shown a bit of humility—and the mindset of a tiger hunting a rabbit—the fight might’ve gone differently.

‘Though, let’s be honest, I still would’ve won.’

Leaving Gwaeslam’s corpse behind, Su-ho continued down the corridor.

Eventually, he reached the end.

‘Looks like nothing at all from the outside.’

The end of the prison was just a large wall.

Was this really the secret place the princess mentioned?

Even with magic detection or his blacksmith vision, he saw nothing.

But he had come to the right place.

Because he had shared the princess’s memories—he knew the secret hidden within the wall.

Based on that shared memory, Su-ho felt around until he found a finger-sized indentation in a corner of the wall and pressed into it.

Then—

Ripple!

The hard stone wall rippled like water, and a massive surge of magical energy—previously undetectable—began pouring out.

Su-ho cautiously touched the wall.

Crackle!

The moment he touched it, sparks flew.

More than sparks—it was like being electrocuted.

‘So not just anyone can enter, huh?’

Exactly.

He had only been shown the way to the royal family’s secret chamber—not told he could go in.

So to proceed, he had to wake the princess.

After confirming they were alone, Su-ho carefully pressed on her pressure points.

He first loosened her muscles with paralysis point control, restoring her senses.

Then he activated the awakening point.

“Nnngh...”

The princess groaned and opened her eyes.

When she saw Su-ho’s face, she quickly sat up.

“Sir Henry?”

“Yes, it’s Henry. We’ve arrived at the royal family’s secret location, Your Highness.”

“Al... already? But I was unconscious...”

“Yes, you fainted. So I carried you down here.”

“You... carried me here...?”

The princess was stunned—making it down here alone would’ve ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) been hard enough, but to do it while carrying her?

Su-ho, unfazed, continued with the process.

“I followed the memory you shared and unlocked the seal in the wall. But apparently, I can’t go through.”

“That’s right. Only members of the royal family can enter. But...”

The princess took his hand.

“If I hold your hand, we can enter together.”

“Is physical contact all it takes?”

“No. What matters is the royal’s will to bring someone.”

“I see. Then... are you sure I’m allowed to enter?”

“Of course. You brought me all this way, Sir Henry. No outsider has ever entered this place before... but you’re different.”

“...Understood. Thank you.”

The princess held his hand and stepped toward the wall.

The wall rippled and swallowed her.

And soon, it began to engulf Su-ho as well.

Then, a system notification appeared.

[You have entered the Boss Room.]