Overgeared

by Park Saenal

  Kwa kwa kwa kwang!

  “Wah!”

  Grid fell as flat as possible in order to avoid being affected by the aftermath of the explosion. However, the explosion was so big that it was impossible for his body to not be damaged.

  [You have suffered 17,300 damage.]

  [A legend doesn’t die easily. You can resist all attacks for 5 seconds with a minimum of health.]

  He had one health point remaining. After a moment, the explosions stopped.

  “Ugh… what happened all of a sudden…”

  Grid rose from his spot and drank a potion to replenish his health before looking at the collapsed Leo.

  “Cough! Cough!”

  Leo coughed up blood. He was in a miserable condition. Leo’s silver majestic armor was in pieces and his body was covered in burns. It was a miracle that he was even breathing.

  ‘What on earth happened?’

  When Leo exploded, Grid thought that Euphemina had appeared. He believed it was Euphemina’s magic that hit Leo. However there were no signs of Euphemina at all, and there were still only two people here, Grid and Leo.

  Grid was stunned by the situation and immediately confirmed the status of Leo’s sword. Leo’s sword had completely shattered. This meant it received the most damage from the explosion. It was as if the explosion began from Leo’s sword.

  “It can’t be…” Grid thought rapidly.

  This was underground. There was no wind because there was no ventilation and the ceiling collapsed due to Euphemina triggering the trap, filling the air with dust. What would happen if a fire started in this enclosed space?

  Grid was reminded of the dust explosion that his chemistry teacher taught him in high school. Dust explosion was a phenomenon where dust was concentrated in the air and exploded after receiving heat and pressure. In the past, there were insufficient dust explosion prevention methods and this phenomenon frequently occurred in coal mines, mills and other areas.

  “Ha! What? It’s like that? Pfff! Puhahahahat!”

  Grid relaxed as he grasped the situation and then laughed like crazy. He was really lucky to be able to succeed in the quest after thinking he would be killed by Leo.

  “Uhh… you… what did you do?”

  The collapsed Leo could barely open his mouth to ask. Grid stopped laughing and turned to Leo. He tried to look as cool as possible as he declared.

  “This is what you call the difference in skills. In fact, I moved at a tremendous speed that your eyes couldn’t follow and made your sword explode. That is why you can’t avoid death.”

  “W-What? Such a thing is possible? You… what is your identity?”

  Grid placed the dagger above Leo’s heart and replied, “I am Pagma’s Descendant. Now you really are going to be a bachelor ghost.”

  Puk.

  Grid’s dagger pierced Leo’s heart. His words came true. Leo really was going to be a bachelor ghost!

  “Kwaaaack!”

  Leo turned into a grey light and dozens of notification windows emerged in front of Grid.

  [You have defeated Winston’s knight, Leo.]

  [The title ‘Knight Slayer’ has been acquired.]

  [8 gold has been acquired.]

  [The prison key has been acquired.]

  [432,000 experience has been acquired.]

  [Your level has risen.]

  [Your level has risen.]

  [Your level has risen.]

  [Your level has risen.]

  [Your level has risen.]

  [Your level has risen.]

  [Your level…]

  The level of ‘Northern Nova’ Leo was exactly 188. Grid’s level rose from 21 to 45 in an instant. There was also a bonus title.

  [Knight Slayer]

  Stamina +100. Strength +30

  “Ohhhhhhhh!!!!”

  Knight Slayer was the easiest title to obtain because it was received after killing a knight. However, it was necessary to be skilled to take down a knight. So it wasn’t a title that could be obtained unless the person had a high-level. Yet Grid, who was level 21, killed a knight and acquired the Knight Slayer title.

  ‘I received the title of Knight Slayer, which is one of the indications of a high-level user…!’

  He never dreamed of getting the Knight Slayer title, even in his days as a warrior. Grid enjoyed the thrill as he started running. Then he reached the end where Huroi’s voice had been heard.

  “Huroi, I’m here!”

  Ching!

  The iron door easily opened due to the key from Leo.

  “Ugh!” Grid frowned. The solitary cell was filled with a bad stench. And Huroi didn’t look the same. It was like touching a skeleton. “What? You… You are Huroi right? Why do you look so different? What have you been doing in the meantime?”

  Grid originally planned to hit Huroi’s cheeks 200 times, but Huroi’s condition was so bad that he didn’t dare. It wasn’t because of his conscience.

  ‘Won’t he die immediately if he is slapped? I don’t want to be stigmatized as a criminal and player killer.’

  “…You?”

  Huroi slowly opened his eyes in the darkness. Then he looked at Grid. At that moment, Huroi was able to recall who he was, where he was and what type of quest he was completing.

  “You… you are my saviour… Thank you… thank you…”

  Then a notification window flashed in front of Grid.

  [Quest success!]

  [Title, ‘Apostle of Justice’ has been acquired.]

  [The courage stat has opened.]

  [All stats have increased by 10.]

  [The skill ‘Unbreakable Justice’ has been generated.]

  [Your reputation in Winston has reached the peak. In the future, the Winston residents will show you the best hospitality.]

  [Affinity with the Winston residents has risen to the maximum. In the future, the Winston residents will share things with you.]

  Huroi also had notification windows appear in front of him.

  [Quest success!]

  [The second class ‘Apostle of Justice’s Partner’ has been acquired.]

  [The courage stat has opened.]

  [When you are with the Apostle of Justice, all stats will increase by 20%.]

  [The skill ‘Unbreakable Justice’ has been generated.]

  [The skill ‘Sacrifice for Justice’ has been generated.]

  [Title, ‘One who Overcomes Hardships’ has been acquired.]

  [Indomitable stat has opened.]

  [The skill ‘Strong Will’ has been generated.]

  [Congratulations! You are the first to obtain a second class in Satisfy. If you wish, your achievements will last for a long time in Satisfy.]

  “Ah…!”

  Tears poured from Huroi’s eyes. He was thrilled at receiving these rewards after the hellish ordeal. Huroi used all his strength and barely raised his body. Then he fell to his knees in front of Grid.

  “Grid, I didn’t know it when we met but we clearly have a destined relationship. My saviour, Grid! I Allunbata, descendant of the Blue Wolf, will follow you for the rest of your life as the Apostle of Justice’s Partner!”

  ‘What is this?’

  Grid didn’t know the details and just thought Huroi was crazy. But Huroi was sincere. Huroi dismissed Grid when they met a few days ago, but now he was convinced that Grid was his destiny. He vowed to repay the favour to Grid.

  Thus, the relationship between the two men began in earnest.

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 48

  Duplicator, a person who analyzed the skills of others, duplicated them and then could use the skills with no conditions. Duplicators could enjoy all types of benefits depending on the skills they duplicated. It could be anything they wanted. It could be called the most effective of all classes in Satisfy.

  They were also a specialist in combat. Depending on the skill combination, it was possible to take on a boss raid alone, become the strongest assassin or even fight alone against an army. A Duplicator w
as the closest class to being called the ‘strongest’.

  However, a Duplicator also had fatal disadvantages.

  Firstly, it could only duplicate a skill three times a day. Secondly, the duplicated skill only had a single use. Thirdly, she only nine basic skills, none of which were combat skills. Fourthly, the basic physical abilities of a magician were poor.

  In other words, it meant Euphemina was the strongest when she duplicated a lot of skills, but the weakest when she had few skills. And right now, Euphemina was in her weakest mode.

  “It’s ruined,” said Euphemina, her complexion pale.

  Grid headed to the fourth floor, leaving her alone on the third floor. While she had defeated hundreds of soldiers that kept appearing, she had used most of her skills in exchange. To be precise, there were three fire magic spells left. However, it wasn’t possible to use them because fire magic was likely to cause an explosion.

  In such a situation, four knights appeared as if they had been waiting and surrounded her.

  “I’m screwed…”

  There were no signs of Grid coming back. There was a massive explosion on the fourth floor, so maybe the worst had happened and Grid died.

  ‘If he survived and rescued Huroi, can I guarantee that he will come back here to rescue me?’

  Maybe Grid had already escaped alone from the prison? The knights aimed their swords at Euphemina, who stood idly like her soul had escaped.

  “You are a ridiculously strong woman who killed more than 500 soldiers alone. Do you have the title of great magician?”

  Fortunately, the knights didn’t dare attack Euphemina. She had killed hundreds of soldiers, so it was natural for the knights to be afraid of her. However, the pointless confrontation didn’t last long.

  “Now the only troops left in the castle are the lord’s bodyguards. Since there are no forces left to block the exit, Grid might escape while we are tied up here.”

  “Is there even a chance? Didn’t Leo go down to the fourth floor? Leo has probably already caught up and will happily kill Grid.”

  “The lord’s comfort is at stake. We have to consider and guard against the worst possibility.”

  “Yes… Then let’s hurry. It isn’t honorable, but I am afraid we will have to fight four against one.”

  The four knights made a decision and rushed at Euphemina at the same time. Now Euphemina was forced to make a decision.

  ‘I can’t be still.’

  Euphemina took out a gold dice. It was the Rolling Dice skill that she got for winning the item making game against Grid.

  [Rolling Dice]

  Roll a dice and a phenomenon will occur, depending on the number that is rolled.

  * If the target is yourself or an ally: There will be a beneficial effect if the number 4 or higher is rolled. There will be a harmful effect if the number rolled is 3 or lower.

  * If the target is an enemy: There will be a beneficial effect if the number 3 or lower is rolled. There will be a harmful effect if the number rolled is 4 or higher.

  Skill Mana Cost: 1,000

  Skill Cooldown Time: 3,000 seconds

  What if she rolled the dice and the situation became worse?

  ‘If the situation becomes too bad, I will use the fire magic.’

  Euphemina didn’t intend to die alone. She grumbled but there were still no signs of Grid returning. She couldn’t imagine how but she would later get revenge on Grid in a terrible way.

  At that moment!

  “These knights ganging up on a weak… no, this woman isn’t weak but still… There is no difference between being gangsters.”

  “G…rid?”

  Euphemina and the knights gazed in the direction of the voice. Grid and Huroi were standing next to each other.

  “Ah…!”

  Euphemina’s face brightened at Grid’s emergence. She thought that Grid was human trash without any loyalty, but he actually wasn’t the worst person. He came back as promised.

  ‘Really pretty.’

  Euphemina’s smile was as beautiful as a flower in full bloom, so Grid’s heart couldn’t help pounding.

  ‘Let’s not be deceived by outward appearances. She just has a beautiful outside that is covering the dirty inside! So don’t run wild, my damn heart!’

  The knights struggled to maintain their composure as they stared at Grid.

  “How is that guy here…? Leo, who was called Northern Nova, was killed by a person like you?”

  “I don’t know who the Northern Nova is, but that young brat called Leo was easy to handle. One against one. One. Against. One. I killed him. Huhuhut!”

  “You!”

  The faces of the knights distorted after hearing that their colleague was killed. Grid didn’t feel fear as he faced them. It was because he believed in something.

  “Yes, you are angry so what are you going to do? Do you think any of you can touch me?”

  “Ugh!”

  The knights flinched. Listening to this, wasn’t Grid good enough to destroy Leo? They were briefly off guard because Grid looked like trash, but he wasn’t easy to deal with.

  Euphemina felt admiration as she watched the knights stepping back from Grid.

  ‘Making the knights back off with just a few words… How high is his level?’

  Monsters and NPCs tended to shrink back from opponents more than 30 levels higher than them. Therefore, Euphemina misunderstood and thought that Grid’s level was much higher than the knights.

  Meanwhile, Grid kept talking while approaching the knights. “Hey guys, if you don’t want to die a dog like death like Leo, get out of the way. This is your only chance to get away.”

  “This guy…!” A knight was filled with anger and tried to rush forward. But the other knights stopped him

  “Don’t fall for his provocation. I know your skills but you shouldn’t face him alone. It is probably a trap.”

  “Aren’t you overreacting? Think about it calmly. That bastard’s class is a blacksmith! Blacksmiths can’t be that strong!”

  “But Leo hasn’t come back. I can’t tell if he is a good actor or not, but he is clearly someone to be wary of.”

  “Kuoh…!”

  The knights were tense because they were thinking too much, while Grid continued walking forward. The knights backed away with every step Grid took.

  Huroi was thrilled when he witnessed the tremendous sight of Grid overwhelming the four knights alone.

  ‘Truly amazing… Grid’s outward appearance might seem insignificant but he is actually a tremendous high-level user who made the knights tremble in fear. The other day I saw him in the smithy and treated him as a comedian. I am ashamed of my eyes.’

  From Euphemina, to Huroi, to the knights! At a time when all of them were greatly mistaken about Grid, Grid was smiling with satisfaction.

  ‘With Euphemina’s skills, can’t she get rid of these knights at any time?’

  That’s right. In fact, the reason Grid was so confident right now was because there was the existence called Euphemina. Grid had no doubts that Euphemina could handle all of them.

  Thump, thump.

  Grid kept moving forward, while the knights backing up became increasingly anxious. Then they reached the stairs leading up to the second floor. At this point, the knights made up their minds.

  ‘What are we doing? We are honorable knights, so why are we scared of a person who escaped from jail? This is the shame of a lifetime!’

  ‘This might cause harm to the lord. I have to defend this place, for the lord.’

  ‘He isn’t a simple blacksmith if he managed to kill Leo. It is a matter of pride now. I won’t back up anymore.’

  ‘Leo was alone, but there are four of us. We can’t lose.’

  The knights decided to no longer back off. This caused Grid to stop moving as well.

  “What? Do you want to fight? Won’t you regret this?”

  The knights gripped their swords and yelled. “We will fight! I can’t tolerate letti
ng a criminal like you escape!”

  “…I’m not a criminal. Crazy bastards.”

  Grid became really irritated. In the first place, wasn’t he unfairly framed? Originally, he should’ve won the prize for winning the blacksmith game. Then he was taken to prison and unfairly suffered!

  Grid angrily shouted. “Euphemina! Show these guys! Use your magic. Take it away!”

  Euphemina made a surprised expression. “Right now… it is a little… Can’t you handle it directly?”

  “What? It is impossible.”

  “Stop joking. Can’t you beat them with your skills?”

  “What are you saying? You should be the one fighting, not me.”

  “No, why are you refusing to fight now?”

  Grid explained to Euphemina, “I can’t win against them.”

  “Don’t lie. You were able to get rid of the Northern Nova by yourself!”

  “No, that isn’t…”

  Somehow, the conversation was strange. The faces of Grid and Euphemina gradually stiffened, while the knights completely lost their hesitation and attacked.

  “…Dammit!”

  It was like a teleportation move. The knight Rupert used his patented ‘Dash’ skill and immediately reached Grid’s side, aiming a sword at him. Grid was completely caught off guard and it seemed like he would be pierced by the sword. Just before Rupert’s sword hit Grid, Huroi pushed him to the side and was stabbed instead.

  “……!”

  Everyone thought that Huroi would die. Huroi was already in a bad condition and he wasn’t wearing any armor. At that moment, a strange thing happened.

  “What is this…? Urghh!”

  Rupert was astonished. This was because his sword, which should’ve pierced Huroi’s abdomen, was blocked by it. It was like stabbing at steel. His wrist was broken. On the other hand, Huroi was fine. The person who attacked was injured, while the person who was attacked was fine.

  Euphemina asked with confusion. “What is with that guy? Why can’t the knight’s sword pierce him?”

  Grid couldn’t reply. “Well… I don’t know…”

  “Why are you answering so half-heartedly? Why are you running around to save someone you don’t know? Stop joking around and just tell me the truth for once!”

  “No… I really don’t know…”