Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant novel Chapter 35

As Suho’s vision shifted, he found himself in a familiar scene: a quiet forest with a narrow path winding through it. This was just how he remembered the Formless Sword Gate.

*‘It’s been a while.’*

While Suho took in the nostalgic view, he suddenly heard a raspy sound.

“Grrk, grrk!”

A goblin's cry.

Sure enough, following the sound, he spotted a small group of goblins gathered together.

*‘Of course, goblins.’*

But these creatures were only a prelude, meant to warm up those who entered the gate. They were there to loosen up one’s body before the real battle.

Suho extended his hand and activated a skill.

[Blood Weapon has been activated.]

In an instant, a blood-red sword formed in his grasp. freeweɓnovel.cøm

“Grrk! Grrrk!”

Sensing the killing intent from the blood sword, the goblins abandoned what they were doing and charged at Suho.

Suho didn’t move. He simply waited until they were within range, then swiftly swung his sword.

[Draw Slash has been activated.]

Slick!

The sound of the sword slicing through the air resonated. A crimson arc trailed after the blood sword, lingering in the air for a split second before vanishing.

Then—

*Splurt!*

[You have slain a goblin.]

[You have slain a goblin.]

[You have slain a goblin.]

...

With one swift stroke, Suho wiped out the entire group of goblins.

He raised his blood sword, facing the lifeless bodies of the fallen goblins.

[Blood Drain has been activated.]

*Whoosh!*

A sucking sound echoed as the blood sword began to absorb the goblins’ blood, drawing every drop from their corpses like a black hole, collecting it into his Bloodstone. Though the Bloodstone filled up, there wasn’t much benefit; after all, it was only goblin blood.

Just then, he heard a grinding noise, like the sound of metal dragging on metal.

Turning toward the source, Suho saw a man appear, clad in a battered cloak and wearing an old, tarnished helmet that concealed his face.

A notification appeared.

[A boss monster has appeared.]

*So, here he is... the Formless Swordsman.*

Suho looked up to see the figure’s name displayed above his head:

— Nameless Swordsman, Lv. ???

That was his name: Nameless Swordsman.

His level wasn’t displayed, a mystery known only to the system. Some challengers had underestimated him because of that. They would soon realize how mistaken they were.

*Swoosh!*

The Nameless Swordsman drew his sword, and at that moment, another notification flashed.

[The Nameless Swordsman’s Battlefield has been activated.]

[While The Nameless Swordsman’s Battlefield is active, the Nameless Swordsman’s stats mirror those of the challenger.]

[While The Nameless Swordsman’s Battlefield is active, all weapons except swords are prohibited in the arena.]

[While The Nameless Swordsman’s Battlefield is active, only swordsmanship skills may be used within the arena.]

*Here it is: the Nameless Swordsman’s Battlefield.*

It was this unique skill that made the Formless Sword Gate such a deadly challenge.

*‘Yes, it was always because of this. This unfair skill has claimed countless lives.’*

Within the Nameless Swordsman’s Battlefield, challengers could only use swords and swordsmanship skills. In return, the Nameless Swordsman’s physical stats matched theirs. But for him, this was no disadvantage—it merely leveled the playing field in a way that let him toy with his opponents.

The only way to win in the Nameless Swordsman’s Battlefield was through superior swordsmanship.

After claiming hundreds of lives, the Nameless Swordsman had earned the title “Sword Emperor” among challengers.

Suho raised his blood sword and addressed him.

“It’s been a while, Sword Emperor.”

In response, the Sword Emperor lunged forward with an explosive step, instantly closing the distance between them, his sword slashing toward Suho’s throat.

Suho shifted his stance, raising his blood sword to parry.

*Clang!*

Sparks flew between the two blades.

The force behind the Sword Emperor’s blow was immense, causing Suho’s sword to tremble. Despite its worn appearance, the Sword Emperor’s blade was as deadly as ever.

*‘So, even that old blade is just part of the ruse...’*

Yet beneath all the deception lay a genuine skill—the Sword Emperor’s honed swordsmanship, unmatched by any other.