Overgeared

by Park Saenal

  ‘They know it’s me due to Dainsleif, even if the Frostlight Orc Chief’s Helmet is gone. Rather, shouldn’t she be attracted to my appearance?’

  The Holy Light Battle Gear set had a very beautiful appearance. He was confident that it was cooler than any existing battle gear set. Grid was expecting girls to think he looked cool when wearing this set.

  However, he was mistaken. The completion of fashion relied on the face! Grid had a somewhat average appearance so he would only cause resentment when he tried to dress gorgeously.

  “What happened to the skull helmet? I think I preferred it when you wore the skull helmet.” Asuka talked randomly.

  Then Grid’s anger reached its peak.

  “This girl… Not even introducing yourself before attacking someone… No, it’s even a personal attack?”

  Grid wasn’t the type to become nice to someone because they were a woman. Asuka had a considerable beauty, but it wasn’t enough to weaken Grid’s mind.

  “You’ll be sorry!” Grid gritted his teeth and replied.

  Then he started his sword dance. A sharp killing intent was concentrated on the greatsword and the air around it started to vibrate.

  “Kill!”

  A powerful attack flew towards Asuka’s heart. The surprised Black Teddy commanded the white bear warrior.

  “Defend the young lady!”

  Kuwaaah!

  The white bear warrior was level 280. Among Black Teddy’s pets, it was the one with the strongest combat ability. It was stronger than a ranker. The bear swung and fist and stood up to the greatsword wrapped in darkness.

  Kwaang!

  The two collided. It seemed close at first glance, but that only lasted for a moment. The balance quickly broke as Grid’s Kill tore the mighty flesh of the white bear. Then the greatsword went through the thick body of the white bear warrior.

  Grrr!

  The white bear’s health was decreased by 1/3rd with one strike. Asuka would’ve fallen into a critical condition if hit by that. But the biggest advantage of a pet was that it didn’t know pain. The bear didn’t shrink back despite suffering massive damage. Instead, it counterattacked.

  Peeok!

  The head of the white bear warrior hit Grid’s chest. But it didn’t do much damage. Previously, Grid only wore boots and a cloak, so he was low in defense. Now he showed a high defense due to the Holy Light battle gear set. He didn’t feel any pain at all from the headbutt.

  Then the option of the Holy Light Gloves activated and ‘Counterattack’ was used, dealing great damage to the white bear warrior. In the end, Black Teddy had to interfere.

  “Berserk!”

  Summoners had dozens of passive and active skills that enhanced a pet’s abilities. Among them, Berserk was a skill that only second advancement summoners could use. It gave pets a status conditions immune effect and temporarily doubled all of a pet’s stats.

  Kyaooooh!

  The white bear cried out and swung its paws. Grid became on the defensive due to the fast and powerful onslaught. He would be subjected to terrible damage if he allowed the attack.

  ‘What is this all of a sudden?’

  He was confused for a moment. Grid had a lot of combat experience so he quickly figured out the situation.

  ‘Is it a temporary buff? The abilities are raised to this level, so the duration must be short.’

  Grid triggered Pagma’s Swordsmanship, Restraint. Then the white bear hesitated and retreated from Grid.

  Black Teddy was nervous, ‘What is this all of a sudden? My commands aren’t going through!’

  The duration of Berserk was only 10 seconds. Every second spent retreating was valuable for Black Teddy. Grid triggered Blacksmith’s Rage in this gap and rushed towards Asuka.

  Kaaang!

  Asuka crossed her double swords and tried to fight back. But Grid took the lead with his fast pace, forcing her on the defensive without a chance to fight back.

  ‘Strange.’

  Asuka was filled with doubts after fighting Grid. The greatsword that Grid was using was over 3m in length and seemed extremely heavy. Then what was this attack speed?

  ‘Isn’t it normal for the attack speed to be slow?’

  It was a stereotype. Dainsleif was very light, despite being a greatsword. It was a sword made by Albatino, who was called the best blacksmith before Pagma, and was made of black iron, which was harder than steel, but twice as light. Dainsleif was a weapon that minimized the disadvantages of a greatsword.

  Chaaeng! Chaaeng!

  At first glance, Asuka seemed to be on the defensive against Grid’s ruthless strikes. But Asuka still had some room. In particular, this was her forte. Her class was a berserker. She became stronger as the battle continued. Asuka was able to adapt to Grid’s attack speed and she finally started her counterattack.

  “Sword Frenzy!”

  Flash!

  Asuka’s blue eyes turned red the moment she activated a skill Then Asuka’s double swords started to dance in a dazzling manner.

  Chaeeeeeng!

  It was the berserker’s representative skill that attacked a target nine times, Sword Frenzy. Grid succeeded in defending against six strikes, but was unable to prevent the remaining three and was hurt.

  [You have suffered 1,700 damage.]

  [You have suffered 1,650 damage.]

  [You have suffered 1,810 damage.]

  Asuka provoked Grid, “Certainly, your defense has increased since you equipped the armor. But isn’t it just high defense? You can’t catch up with the speed of my double swords and will just be a sandbag.”

  Grid scoffed.

  “Pagma’s Swordsmanship, Link!”

  Papat! Pa pa pa pa!

  “…?!”

  Black energy swords were generated at a tremendous rate and hit Asuka. The confused Asuka once again triggered Sword Frenzy, but it was useless. Sword Frenzy might attack 9 times, but Pagma’s Swordsmanship, Link, attacked a total of 17 times. Sword Frenzy couldn’t completely offset it and Asuka’s body became covered with wounds.

  Then Grid pointed his sword at Asuka’s neck.

  “What is your purpose for attacking me?”

  On the other hand…

  [Magic power has started to manipulate your body. It is hard to reject.]

  [You will become the puppet of ‘Box’ for three seconds.]

  ‘This!’

  Toban couldn’t move his body according to his will. He was the 1st ranked paladin with high magic resistance, so how could he be manipulated so easily? Toban thought it was ridiculous.

  ‘I still have a long way to go.’

  It hurt his reputation. It was an insult that couldn’t be washed away. Toban trembled. However, the person who was really shocked was Box, not Toban.

  ‘I can only control him for three seconds?’

  Puppet magic was the ultimate magic for a linker. It was a powerful magic that sent magic power into the body of the target in order to manipulate it. And Box’s ability to control magic power was by far the best among the linkers. If Box used the puppet spell, he could manipulate a monster for up to 5 minutes and a user for 30 seconds.

  Yet Toban was only three seconds?

  ‘The higher the level and magic resistance of the target, the lower the manipulation time. But… Isn’t it guaranteed at least 10 seconds, even if the opponent has a higher level than me?’

  Toban’s magic resistance seemed to be different from all the opponents he met so far. Box admired it.

  ‘This is the dignity of the 1st ranked paladin. The Tzedakah Guild is filled with monsters.’

  Puppet had a cooldown time of two hours. It was a skill that could only be used once every two hours, so it was a waste to control a person for only three seconds. Box sighed and started to control the magic power connected to Toban.

  “Chief, go and help Asuka.”

  “H-Hey! Stop!”

  Toban begged but it was no use. His body suddenly moved into the gap between Grid and
Asuka. Then he used a shield to deflect the greatsword pointing at Asuka’s neck.

  “…Toban?” Grid’s eyes widened.

  Toban laughed awkwardly, “Ah, hello?”

  The puppet magic was released. Toban could move freely so he tried to explain the matter, but Box interrupted. “I am glad to meet you for the first time, Grid.”

  “Who are you?”

  Grid felt instinctive dislike whenever he met a handsome man. So his expression darkened the moment Box appeared. Then Box said to him. “The three of us joined the guild a while ago. Right now, we are helping Chief with a quest. The quest requires us to kill you.”

  “Eh?”

  Grid doubted his ears and looked at Toban. The panicked Toban explained the situation.

  “Grid, it is a misunderstanding. I didn’t know that you were the target of the quest. This is…”

  Kyaooooh!

  The white bear warrior was released from the influence of Restraint. Then it ran to Grid, who was listening to Toban, and smacked Grid on the head.

  [You have suffered 3,200 damage.]

  Jeurereuk.

  Grid spoke softly while bleeding from the head, “Are you talking to keep my attention so that someone else can attack…? Toban, are you really going to be like this?”

  It was a huge misunderstanding. Toban panicked. At this rate, Grid might not make an item for him at all. He couldn’t push Grid. Therefore, he had to get rid of this misunderstanding.

  “Black Teddy! What are you doing? Can’t you understand the atmosphere? Grid is a fellow guild member! Stop attacking!”

  Toban shouted but Black Teddy just stroked his teddy bear and pretended not to know anything. In the end, Grid’s anger exploded.

  “Toban… You must’ve held a tremendous grudge after saying that I would make you item last. Right? So now you want revenge?”

  Toban shouted, “That isn’t the case! Right now, I am doing a quest to kill the mysterious person who kill the pope and took the treasures! I didn’t know that the person would be you!”

  “Didn’t you attack me after knowing the truth? You know that I am the enigmatic person, so this is a great opportunity to proceed with the quest? Right?”

  “No! Listen to my explanation! We don’t have to fight! Sell me the treasures! I just need the treasures!”

  “…You just need the treasures?”

  Grid started to understand the situation. A relieved Toban pointed to the items that Grid was wearing.

  “The Holy Light set. That’s what I need.”

  Grid frowned, “Are you crazy? I won’t sell.”

  “H-Hey, Grid. I’ll give you a lot of money. Please do this for me just once. Yes?”

  Toban begged. In fact, Grid was inwardly delighted. He was thinking that it wouldn’t be possible to sell these items due to the limited usage conditions. Grid started acting as he asked.

  “Sigh… I will consider agreeing to the favor since we are part of the same guild. How much will you buy it for?”

  “2,000 gold each, for a total of 6,000 gold?”

  Toban didn’t know the features of the Holy Light set. He regarded it as simple quest items when he set the price. He was confident that he set a high price, but Grid was annoyed.

  Even if it had a system of exclusive use, the Holy Light set still had a legendary rating. He thought he would get at least two million gold for each piece. But Toban wanted to buy it for 2,000 gold each? He must be joking.

  “Are you playing with me right now?”

  Wasn’t this reaction strange? Toban changed the value.

  “Then 2,200 gold each…?”

  “Get lost.”

  “How much do you want?”

  “Two million gold each.”

  “What?”

  Grid was adamant. The Holy Light set was excellent, so it was better to use it himself unless it was sold for two million gold each. He wouldn’t sell it for any less than that. But from Toban’s perspective, the Holy Light set were simple quest items and Grid seemed like a scammer.

  “Hey, this is honestly too much… I received my first SS-grade quest so please help me clear it…”

  Box whispered to Toban who had a grim expression on his face.

  –Chief, we want to fight with Grid to see his strength. We will kill him and obtain the items for you. Okay?

  It was the temptation of the devil. Toban asked Grid one last time, “Grid, these items… Do you really intend to sell it for two million gold each? It isn’t a joke?”

  “I’m being serious. I’m not joking.”

  The negotiations broke down. Toban closed his eyes. And he whispered to Box.

  –Pretend to use magic on me!

  “…?”

  Box was puzzled but acted according to Toban’s request. He used a spell to enchant Toban. Then Toban suddenly disappeared. He shouted and sat down. Then he started acting.

  “No? What is this? I can’t move one finger freely. This is the ultimate linker magic that controls the target at will. I have been hit by Puppet! Oh my! This is serious! I can no longer stop them from attacking. Grid! It’s dangerous!”

  “…”

  Chapter 131

  Chapter 131

  “…”

  It was the first time Grid saw such bad acting. It was even more awkward than an idol appearing in a drama for the first time. Anybody watching it would be embarrassed. But the acting wasn’t the important thing right now. What was he planning after claiming to be enchanted?

  Grid had no doubt that Toban was lying.

  ‘Interesting.’

  Toban’s greed was awakened due to the quest, and now he was trying to betray a colleague.

  Box said with satisfaction, “The situation is like this… Grid, I want to experience the skill of the hidden class that smashed the Giant Guild. Chief, use buff magic on us.”

  ‘This isn’t right.’

  Toban hesitated until the end. It might be for a quest, but he was worried and feeling guilty about betraying a fellow guild member.

  ‘It goes against logic.’

  He knew it. No matter the reason, he shouldn’t betray a colleague. He couldn’t refute, even if he was called garbage. But he didn’t want to give up this quest. This was a SS-grade quest that he received for the first time, with a legendary rated sword as a reward. It was an opportunity that wouldn’t come again, so he couldn’t miss it.

  After careful consideration, Toban made his decision.

  ‘I’m sorry Grid… But this is all your fault! You are a bad person!’

  Can’t you give up the quest items for a guild member? He wasn’t even asking for free, since he was willing to pay compensation. But it was rejected? Was that too much to ask?

  ‘Grid! I have to kill you for the quest! I will surely repay the damage that you will suffer today!’

  In the end, Toban decided!

  He started acting again, “Ah! How is this possible? My body has to move as Box commands and now I am using a skill? I want to reject it, but I can’t! This! It can’t be helped. I’m sorry, Grid! Forgive me! God of health and wisdom, Judar! I earnestly pray for you to give us your blessing. Light’s Glory!”

  [The effect of Light’s Glory is activated. The stats of you and your party members have increased by 20%.]

  Paladins of the Judar Church were specialized in buff skills. Not only was their buffing ability superior, the buff effect extended to all party members, including the pets. Therefore, the Judar paladins were one of the most popular classes for party hunting.

  “Let’s start again. Show us all of your abilities.” Asuka felt stronger and restarted the battle with Grid. “Spear Frenzy!”

  Berserkers were more aggressive than any other class and could use all types of weapons. Asuka was a second generation conglomerate heir, so she had a variety of unique weapons. She pulled out a spear from her inventory and started a crazy rampage.

  Kwa kwa kwa kwang!

  Sword Frenzy was a single target skill, wh
ile Spear Frenzy was a skill with a wide range.

  The spear attacked the target and surrounding area at the same time. It inflicted 50% damage to enemies within the attack range, causing the ground to shake and for the target to rise in the air for 0.8 seconds.

  Even if the target avoided the attack, they couldn’t avoid the aftermath. The so-called CC (crowd control) technique.

  Chaaeng!

  Grid wielded his greatsword to stop the spear. However, his body was affected by the aftermath. He started to rise in the air.

  Asuka didn’t miss this gap. She had countless combat experience so she rushed to complete the combo. It was possible to damage someone in the air using ‘Chain Frenzy.’ This would cause the opponent to hang helplessly in the air for two seconds and receive one-sided attacks.

  She pulled out the chain, but Grid wasn’t stuck in the air. He stood on the ground like a magnet was attached to his feet.

  “Eh?”

  “Resorting to petty tricks.” Grid grinned at the panicked Asuka.

  Asuka hurriedly retrieved the chain. Then she pulled out the double swords she used as a main weapon and defended.

  Kaang!

  ‘It is still fast and heavy!’

  All her stats had increased by 20%. Nevertheless, Grid still felt strong.

  Kikik! Kkikikik!

  ‘Amazing.’

  Asuka’s face was blissful instead of fearful as she blocked the greatsword with her double swords.

  ‘He’s immune to CC. Is this man’s class immune to status conditions?’

  Wasn’t this a fraudulent effect that would collapse the balance? She earnestly started to covet it. Asuka wanted the same hidden class as Grid. She would pay Grid astronomical amounts of money to find out how to obtain his class.

  She didn’t care about money. She believed that she could get anything she wanted.

  But what was the reality? Most users didn’t know this, but the way to change to a hidden class changed every moment.

  In order to change to class A, three loaves of bread needed to be eaten three times in front of a certain place. This condition wasn’t always constant. Depending on the person and situation, they might have to shout four times or eat four loaves.