by Park Saenal
‘A truly great person.’ Hurent and Skunk were greatly surprised. This was a situation where the secret technique belonged to Grid, yet he declared that he would share it fairly with his colleagues. A normal guild master wouldn’t be able to do this easily. The most important thing about running an organization was the people, but most leaders were blinded by the benefits in front of them.
‘An excellent leader.’
Wouldn’t it be good to join Overgeared as Lauel recommended? Skunk thought that he could recommend Grid to his colleagues. The moment Skunk thought this, Grid finally opened the box. A light emerged from the box. All types of bright colors crossed sequentially and exploded. It was a gorgeous appearance that amplified the anticipation of the Overgeared members, Skunk, and the dukes.
There was a bright smile on Grid’s face.
‘This is a random draw?’
It was clear from the fact that the different colors continued to cross each other. The Secret Technique Box was a drawing system. The secret technique was determined by sheer luck. There were many types of secret techniques, each with a different value and rating. It was natural for a drawing system to be adopted.
‘I am lucky!’
Grid had the good luck stat. He was different from the past. The goddess of luck was on his side.
‘I will receive the highest grade secret technique!’
Grid’s confidence and anticipation were heightened.
Ttiring~
The light bursting from the box calmed down, and the contents of the box revealed itself.
[The secret technique Light Footwork Technique: Empty Approach Path has been acquired!]
[Light Footwork Technique: Empty Approach Path]
[Category: Skill Book
Rating: Legendary
A legendary rated light footwork technique that allows you to walk in the sky.
Learning Conditions: 8,000 agility.]
“…”
“…”
The Overgeared members’ faces turned to the color of poop when they confirmed the contents. They saw the learning conditions and understood the follower’s lament about ‘not seeing the end of the path.’ Even so, Grid’s expression was bright.
[The acquisition of the secret technique has activated the Secret Technique Mixture system.]
[You can get a new technique by combining 10 damaged fragments and one complete secret technique book.]
[However, you can only get the same type of secret technique, and the rating of the secret technique might be lowered.]
“So, if we synthesize them together, a Light Footwork Technique is all that can be obtained?” Grid asked after informing his colleagues about the Secret Technique Mixture system.
Lauel nodded. “It seems so.”
“Currently, isn’t it better to lower the rating by combining them?”
“Of course. Now we know why the followers have been dropping damaged books.
8,000 agility was tough for players to achieve. It might be possible, but it was unknown how many years it would take. In that case, it was better to have a lower rating if the learning condition of the secret technique was lowered. Grid was resolved and pulled out the damaged books from his inventory. He had nearly 50 fragments.
[Attempting the secret techniques synthesis!]
[The secret technique Light Footwork Technique: Walk on Snow with No Traces has been acquired as a result of the synthesis!]
[Light Footwork Technique: Walk on Snow with No Traces]
[Rating: Legendary
It is light and agile enough not to leave any footprints in the snow.
Learning Conditions: 6,000 agility.]
“…The person who is a piece of turd, raise your hand.”
In the end…
[The secret technique Light Footwork Technique: Fly on Top of Grass has been acquired as a result of the synthesis!]
It happened after exactly nine attempts. Grid and the Overgeared members invested all the secret technique fragments they had accumulated.
[Fly on Top of Grass]
[Rating: Epic
A Light Footwork Technique that can run on grass.
Learning Conditions: 3,000 agility.]
The party was able to get their hands on a normal rated technique, and Faker became its owner. The explanation of the secret technique might be simple, but the effect was different.
[All speeds have increased by 20%.]
[Movement speed is twice as fast in forests or on grassland.]
“Wow…”
It was a big jackpot. The party members’ desire for secret techniques grew stronger.
Chapter 1031
Ranked players had exceptional talent, passion, effort, and perseverance. They were highly proud of their own accomplishments. Faker was the same. If he were the best among two billion players, then at least he could feel proud that he didn’t shame his grandfather.
It’s just that this changed with one person. This story changed in front of Grid.
“You should’ve learned this.”
Faker acquired Fly on Top of Grass through Grid, and he felt truly indignant. The effect of Fly on Top of Grass was much greater than expected. Faker judged that Grid should’ve learned the skill, not him. He blamed himself for failing to refuse Grid’s goodwill. Even Faker, who had the reputation of ‘not losing in PvP’, was modest in front of Grid.
Grid sighed. “No? It is great that you learned this.”
He was serious. The effect of a 20% increase in all speeds would be a great help to Grid, but Grid already used buffs to maximize his speed. If he recalled the ‘world that he saw through a transcendent gaze’, this speed was probably the maximum possible for him right now… Still, it was doubtful.
In any case, Grid didn’t regret giving Faker the secret technique. The main reason was the effect of movement speed doubling in forests or on grassland. Unlike Grid, Faker had to collect a lot of information across the continent. He had always felt sorry for Faker, who sacrificed his time by crossing the continent several times a month. Now Grid was happy that he could reduce Faker’s burden. Moreover, Grid was far more dependent on Faker than other people thought.
‘Faker must continue to grow stronger.’
Grid often sparred with his colleagues. He had sparred more than 500 times over the years and had experienced the crisis of losing his immortality dozens of times. The one who caused the most trouble to Grid was Faker. In the past, Faker’s ability to kill a single guild alone was already unrivaled in the Overgeared Guild, and he had grown steadily since then. Grid thought that if there was a colleague who would go beyond him one day, it would be Faker.
In fact, the war god had pointed to Faker. The war god expressed that Faker was only just becoming stronger. Unlike Grid who had to break through his limits to become stronger in the future, Faker would grow stronger quicker and more easily. Grid wished for that day to come. He hoped that Faker would replace him in his frequent absences.
‘Additionally, if…’
If he failed to overcome the limits of being Pagma’s Descendant… If he lost his top spot to Kraugel and the Overgeared Kingdom was in danger…
‘At that time, Faker must become the best and support everyone.’
Grid entrusted this wish to Faker. It was why he gave Fly on Top of Grass to Faker despite being able to learn it himself. Of course, this trust wasn’t confined to Faker. All the colleagues here had Grid’s trust and expectations. It was for their sake.
“The imperial soldiers and the Skunk Expedition Group have arrived.”
“Um, yes.”
Grid was prepared to secure all the secret techniques in this historical site. There was a limit to being alone, no matter how strong a person was. People had to be strong together to respond to crises and valuables. Grid listened to Lauel’s report and watched the faces of his peers and the dukes who were waiting for him outside the barracks.
Duke Grenhal approached and told him, “I have instructed the
soldiers to build a new camp here. We will challenge the next gateway while the Skunk Expedition Group will remain here and study the murals.”
“Okay. Let’s start straight away.”
Grid took the lead, and the dukes followed behind him. The dukes followed Grid naturally now.
“Hrmm…”
After passing the 53 waterfalls, they reached the end of the valley and saw a long river and a mountain in the distance. It was only around 1,000 meters above sea level and wasn’t very high. The unusual thing was that the mountain didn’t have a single blade of grass on it. It was literally a barren mountain with gray rock.
The sharp peak was covered with a thick fog, making it impossible for even Jishuka to see what was on there. It was too dark.
“Something is ominous…” Hurent muttered with a rapidly darkening complexion. There would obviously be a greater trial waiting there. At present, Hurent’s ability was only enough to hunt one follower. He honestly thought it was meaningless for him to join this march.
Of course, hunting in these ruins would be impossible if Hurent was on an expedition by himself. However, he wasn’t alone right now. They passed by the river and started climbing the rocks.
“What are these secret techniques?”
The followers constantly challenged them.
“I’m coming out! They are my prey!”
The Overgeared members became accustomed to the followers and hunted the followers with shining eyes. The thorough cooperation bypassed the followers’ attacks and counterattacks and turned them to ashes. No matter how strong the followers were, they were still classified as normal monsters and forced to be helpless in front of the high rankers. Thanks to this, Hurent didn’t feel much fatigue and was pleased to see his accumulated damage and experience.
‘This is a true party play.’
Hurent had little experience teaming up with talented players. It was hard for him to meet a person stronger than himself, so he had felt that team play was painful and that he was more comfortable alone. Now, that was beginning to change. He knew he could pursue a much more efficient hunting method by working together instead of being alone and that he could grow stronger more quickly this way. Hurent felt thrilled by the cooperation with powerful people. The thrill of the hunt, which he had forgotten after many years of working in the fields, gave him great pleasure.
‘Shit. I can’t go back to the old days.’
It was interesting. The more primal pleasure that was pursued in games was dominating Hurent’s mind and body. Hurent sensed it. After being absorbed in this feeling, he would never be able to leave the Overgeared Guild. In fact, he would like to continue with them in the future.
There was one decisive cause for this. Grid’s presence at the forefront made it easier for his colleagues to hunt. One strong person made hunting several times faster and safer. That’s right. In fact, Hurent was experiencing a bus. Moreover, it was a Grid bus. He couldn’t help being attracted to the pleasure of the bus that resembled farming with Piaro.
[You have found a War God Temple!]
It was hard to find. The group easily climbed the rocks and soon reached the top of the mountain where they found a temple surrounded by dense fog. It was an old and shabby temple. Would this place be guarded by a follower who had learned 10 secret techniques?
The tense Grid, dukes, and Overgeared members held their breaths for a moment. They observed the surroundings without getting close to the temple. Then someone’s voice rang out, “I was wondering who else could’ve reached this place.”
Step. Step. Step. Hundreds of footsteps came closer. The party members looked toward the entrance of the temple. Familiar faces were seen. Zhang Jian, Liao Wei, Mei Xiao, and so on—they were Chinese rankers who played a major role in the National Competition in the past. There were around 200 people in total, and among them, there was a person with a deep relationship with the Overgeared Guild.
“The Overgeared Guild. It wouldn’t be strange if you reached here this quickly.”
It was China’s strongest person. All the gathered rankers acknowledged him. The first player to become a half draconian—it was Hao.
China was a country where the Communist Party’s judgments and orders were given priority over individual rights. Once the Ruins of the War God emerged, the Chinese government gave orders to all Chinese rankers, including Hao. They were directed to immediately depart for the Ruins of the War God and secure as much of the war god’s power as possible.
China’s greatest strength was its population. There were many Chinese players in each field. Hao’s party took some time, but they succeeded in securing the route to the Ruins of the War God. By the time they arrived at the ruins, that was when Grid’s party was tied up in the valley for a few days. Since the jungle traps had already been cleared, the party had no difficulty overcoming the jungle and came to the temple without passing through the valley. They were able to arrive at the temple ahead of the Overgeared members.
“Grid, I’m sorry, but you’ll have to step back here,” Hao stated with a somber expression.
The Chinese rankers, apart from his sister Mei Xiao, had already pulled out their weapons and were pointing them at the Overgeared members. Hao sighed and explained the situation, “The leader became interested after the National Competition. It is rumored that he is angry about the fact that China didn’t take first place in the National Competition. This is the result. We have to secure the secret techniques and become stronger. We have to make good progress for next year’s National Competition. This might be a shameless favor, but I hope you will yield it to us.”
Originally, Hao had a bad relationship with them. He was once the enemy of the Overgeared members. In the process of several repeated fights, Hao acknowledged Grid’s abilities and became favorable to Grid and the Overgeared Guild. He then went to South Korea to give Grid news about Kraugel.
It was painful. Hao didn’t want to block Grid and the Overgeared Guild for ridiculous reasons, but he couldn’t step back. Foreigners living in a modern society might not understand, but the command of the Communist Party in China was absolute.
“I roughly understand the situation…” Grid made an embarrassed expression, but before he could say anything—
“Do you dare to stand in front of our way?” Beast King Morse interrupted. One of the empire’s Seven Dukes jumped into the Chinese rankers’ midst on the saber tiger. (TL: changed it to saber tiger from the previous name)
“Who is that?”
“Is this Grid’s new subordinate?”
The Chinese rankers didn’t recognize Morse’s identity. The empire’s dukes were famous, but they never dreamed the dukes would be with Grid. It was natural. Just a few days ago, a great war was being fought between the Overgeared Kingdom and the empire. Grid and the empire’s dukes became companions? The man with Grid was a duke of the empire…?
A person with a normal mindset wouldn’t have these thoughts. Morse’s power was accompanied by thunder-like explosions. He ignored the counterattacks of the Chinese rankers and punched them, causing dozens of Chinese rankers to be swept away by the explosion.
“…?”
“…”
Grid was sorry for the Chinese rankers who were stunned by the incredible destructive power. An awkward silence filled the area. Morse shouted, “It is a sin to stand in the way of a duke of the empire and king of the Overgeared Kingdom! I, Beast King Morse, will punish you!”
“Ah, no, what? What is this?” The Chinese rankers paled as they doubted their ears.
‘It is really great.’ A delighted smile spread across Hao’s face.
Chapter 1032
They were many players who opposed the Saharan Empire. No, most players would feel negatively toward the Saharan Empire. How many modern people could be sympathetic to the image of the empire that discriminated and repressed other species and cultures, calling themselves the only right answer? There might be many players who joined the empire to enjo
y their infrastructure, but it was hard to find those who devoted themselves to the empire.
There was just one strange thing. The poisonous Chinese players often favored the Saharan Empire. The empire couldn’t be seen negatively because the appearance of the Saharan Empire wasn’t that different from China’s, who put pressure on the surrounding countries. In their eyes, the ideals of the empire were worthy and the attitude of the empire was natural. Rather, they thought the empire was intrepid.
Of course, not all Chinese were the same, but it was true that many Chinese supported the empire by describing the Saharan Empire as Satisfy’s China. The same was true for the Chinese rankers gathered here now. For them, the empire was another version of China, and the nobles of the empire who exerted ‘appropriate authority’ were the objects of envy. The dukes were the best among the empire’s nobles.
“Why Grid…”
Yet they were defending Grid, the king of a small nation. No, it wasn’t just at the level of defending.
“Your Majesty, you must be very upset that these puny bastards pointed their weapons at you. Govern your heart. We will take care of them.”
Unlike the saber tiger that easily climbed the rocks, the two-headed hippo barely managed to climb the mountain because of its lack of agility. Duke Grenhal descended from it with rough breathing and treated Grid like a superior. His attitude made it out like Grid was the emperor.
“What? What the hell is this?”
It was true that Grid dominated among the players, but he was normal when compared to NPCs. Additionally, academic circles stated that the Seven Dukes of the empire were some of the most powerful people on the West Continent. Compared to the Seven Dukes, Grid was lacking in every aspect. Moreover, not long ago, the Overgeared Kingdom was fighting against the empire. Grid’s knight had even killed Sky King Rigal. The relationship between the empire and Grid could never be good. It was normal for the Seven Dukes to be hostile or to despise Grid.
‘Then why are the dukes treating Grid so well? I can’t understand it.’
The Chinese rankers who had been ordered to go to the historical site were all veterans. They could recall many cases, but no matter how many they looked through, it was impossible to guess how the relationship between Grid and the Seven Dukes had formed.