SWNOVELXO Chapter 205.1 - Interlude 1
Interlude 1. Shirayuki’s Revival
“Haah… haah…”
After escaping from Montrolia, I was gasping for breath while clutching my bleeding arm.
“I failed… It’s all because of them!”
Releasing skill-synthesized monsters into Montrolia to capture citizens.
Selecting those with unique skills among them, while the rest become materials for Davia’s
Now that Matthew’s plan has failed, my plan was supposed to be perfect, and everything should have gone smoothly.
“But—but, but!!”
The result was failure.
Not only could I not select the citizens’ skills, but the Ark also lost Mark.
Mark was the weakest in the organization. But there’s no doubt he was a valuable human with the
And—I lost eight lives and my left arm.
“Damn it, damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it!!”
I kicked the wall of the building, venting my anger.
All of this is because of Ludmilla and that brat Arx.
First, Ludmilla.
She was overwhelmingly strong. Possibly even stronger than when I last saw her 50 years ago.
After losing to Ludmilla, I honed my skills and reached level 100.
Though I have the constraint of not being able to go all out to maintain my youth—I still believed I had grown stronger.
Yet, I was utterly defeated. The moment she used
If I hadn’t switched to a strategy to catch Ludmilla off guard, I would have undoubtedly been killed.
On top of that, she remained completely unharmed until the end. Terrifying.
But—the real problem is Arx.
What is he? He should only be around level 70, yet he was as strong as me—no, possibly even stronger.
Why should I, at 120 years old, have to fight on equal terms with some brat like that? Why was I almost defeated by some half-baked weakling?
The answer came quickly.
“Free people do not dominate others. Nor are they dominated. You are the opposite. Desperately running from the reality of your own aging, and out of insecurity, you unnecessarily seek to dominate others.”
Ludmilla’s words flashed through my mind.
For the past 50 years, I had devoted myself to dominating others rather than focusing on myself.
That was the cause of my defeat. Somehow, I understood that.
—But I couldn’t accept it.
“It’s as if my 50 years were wasted!!”
I had gone through so much effort and suffering to maintain my beauty and youth. I didn’t want to believe it was all for nothing.
“Shirayuki, you’re really worked up, huh?”
As I seethed, Ryuya stood behind me.
“…It’s nothing. It’s none of your concern.”
“Really? Even with one arm missing?”
I instinctively hid the stump of my left arm. Getting tangled up with him would be troublesome.
“My current level is 92.”
“…So what?”
“It means you’re higher level than me. I’ve only lived for 27 years, so there’s no way I could kill you nine times. But… what about now?”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Which of us is more worthy… That’s what I’m saying. If you and I fought, who do you think would win?”
“…I’m not at full strength right now. My arm will heal in two weeks, and I plan to find humans compatible with
“I see. That’s a shame, but I guess there’s no helping it.”
He’s a creepy one. Instead of targeting me while I’m weak, he wants to fight me after I’ve recovered.
But that’s Ryuya’s conviction. His relentless pursuit of strength. Tormenting me in my weakened state wouldn’t satisfy him.
“But, can your arm really heal in two weeks? Does it grow back or something?”
“I’m going to Azuma.”
“Azuma? That eastern country?”
“I have a facility there. I’ll receive treatment there.”
“I see. Good luck.”
I turned my back on Ryuya and prepared to leave.
“Hey, Shirayuki. Can I ask you something?”
“…What is it?”
“That Ludmilla you fought… was she strong?”
“Don’t speak her name so lightly!”
At my sharp rebuke, Ryuya fell silent.
Seeing that he had nothing more to say, I started walking again.
My destination—Azuma.
I’ll make a full recovery soon. Three months—no, one month.
All so I can remain the strongest in this world.