by Park Saenal
***
The Korean team’s waiting room.
Yura was nervous. After Youngwoo defeated Hurent, he didn’t return to the waiting room, but went somewhere else.
‘I need to give Youngwoo-ssi advice…’
Bondre was a completely different style of opponent from Hurent. She had been directly defeated by him. Youngwoo had logged out Hurent in just five seconds. This was a phenomenal record, but she was worried he would become careless after it.
‘If he’s trapped in an ice prison or web, there will be no room to swing his sword.’
Youngwoo’s greatswords were at least 3m in length. Greatswords weren’t a weapon capable of being swung in a tight space. It was the end once he was trapped. The sword wouldn’t be able to swing, he wouldn’t be able to break the wall of ice and he would eventually become the victim of Absolute Zero.
‘He needs to end the match before Bondre uses his ice prisons and webs.’
Yura wanted to pass this on to Youngwoo. But Youngwoo didn’t pick up his phone and she couldn’t give him advice because he was missing.
‘If he’s careless…’
As moment Yura was worrying…
Youngwoo was meeting a person in a secret place.
“My name is Rail Smith. My ID in Satisfy is Lauel.”
The person who introduced himself was too young to be called a man, but too mature to be called a boy. He was estimated to be in his late teens. He had blond hair and white skin. His eyes were calm and he had stubborn lips. He had a pretty forehead and narrow jaw. He was so beautiful that he reminded Grid of the main character of a British teen movie.
Youngwoo felt strong hostility towards him.
“So what? Why did you call me here?”
Lauel was confused by the expression on Youngwoo’s face and explained. “The Tzedakah Guild… No, not exactly. Please accept me as your subordinate.”
Grid knew who Lauel was. It was because Ibellin often talked about Lauel.
‘A genius among geniuses.’
The only person who Ibellin considered as a rival. That guy wanted to be Youngwoo’s subordinate? Youngwoo made a funny face and asked bluntly, “Why do you want to follow me? Is it because you want me to make you an item?”
“Yes.” Lauel also answered honestly.
Youngwoo nodded.
“Okay.”
“Huh?”
Lauel was baffled because Youngwoo agreed so easily. In fact, he thought Youngwoo would be reluctant. Everything he prepared to convince Youngwoo became obsolete.
“The more slaves I have, the better.”
“…” Lauel didn’t speak Korean perfectly. Therefore, he didn’t know the exact meaning of the word ‘slave,’ but he was sure it meant ‘subordinate’ based on the context. “Thank you for accepting me. As long as you can give me what I want, I will pledge my loyalty to you forever.”
“Yes, yes.”
Lauel spoke such words so casually. This guy, there was another person like Huroi.
‘Not bad.’
Recently his minerals finder – Minor, had only been recommending dangerous places to him. For example, Cork Island Dungeon.
‘I never thought I would have to fight the great demon Hell Gao when I was just trying to mine a mineral. I need a bodyguard in case that absurd situation occurs again.’
He already had a powerful knight called Jude, but Jude was an NPC. Unlike users, NPCs had a finite life. He was reluctant to take them to dangerous places with him because he was worried about them dying.
However, Lauel was a user. Youngwoo was making a happy expression when Lauel gave advice to him.
“You should be careful of Bondre. Don’t give him time to case his ice prisons and webs.”
“I don’t know what ice prisons and webs are, but don’t they require casting time?”
“…Yes, but it will be difficult to approach him.”
Bondre could generate an ice barrier around 1m in diameter in less than 1.5 seconds. Even if Grid advanced while resisting all types of status conditions like slow, frostbite and freeze, he would inevitably be delayed by the barrier.
“By the time you break the ice barrier, Bondre will finish casting his magic.”
So what? Ranged skills were the answer.
“If I had to give advice on how to fight…”
Youngwoo waved his hand at Lauel, who was trying to explain the timing to use the Transcended Link skill.
“I will take care of it.”
“Yes.”
It would be good to taste frustration at least once. Lauel hoped that after Youngwoo was defeated by Bondre, he would abandon arrogance to become more prudent. He didn’t know. Youngwoo had already suffered numerous setbacks.
‘Anyway, I can log out Bondre in 5 seconds.’
Right now, Youngwoo wasn’t being arrogant. He knew his strength better than anyone else, so he calmly grasped the situation.
‘I’m the strongest.’
Hurent had referred to boss monsters as fools who just used strength. Boss monsters were strong, but they could be ignored. But what was the reality? The pope, the Awakened Guardian of the Forest, and Hell Gao. Had Hurent ever struggled with big shots like them? Even if he had fought strong boss monsters, had he ever defeated them alone?
‘He doesn’t understand the subject.’
Youngwoo ignored such a man. Didn’t he smash that conceited guy in 5 seconds? It was funnier the more he thought about it.
“Puhuhu.” Youngwoo laughed.
『 After a while, the first match of the round of 16 will begin. All participants should go to the capsule room. 』
Youngwoo moved according to the guide.
“I am on a different dimension from all of you.”
The only legend. He would show the world why a legend was a legend. And.
『 Grid, who logged out Aura Master Hurent in 5 seconds and the undefeated Bondre! With hundreds of thousands of spectators and hundreds of millions of viewers watching! Their showdown! Start! 』
Papat!
Grid and Bondre appeared in the desolate garden of the Lion’s Castle.
“Ice Field.”
Bondre didn’t delay. He immediately changed the surroundings to make it more advantageous to him.
Jjejeok! Jjejejejeok!
The ground in a 50m radius was completely frozen. Now Grid would slip if he moved even one step. And. Grid stood in place, not even trying to take one step.
Bondre laughed.
‘I’ve blocked his skills.’
Grid needed at least four steps every time he used Pagma’s Swordsmanship. But now he couldn’t move as he liked on the ice field. And even if he didn’t slip?
‘A sharp piece of ice will protrude with every step he makes, meaning it is impossible to do his sword dance.’
Grid had only one choice. He couldn’t use skills on the ground. So he would inevitably fly up in the sky. Bondre was planning to completely trap Grid using the Ice Spider Web.
‘I will finish it with Absolute Zero.’
Ssik.
As Bondre was smiling with satisfaction. Grid still didn’t take a single step as he swung his black greatsword lightly.
“Golden Flash.”
Kuwaaaaaang!
[Golden Flash]
A skill attached to Dainsleif (Reproduction).
All enemies in a straight line will receive damage that is equal to 1,000% of your current magic power.
Skill Mana Cost: 500
Skill Cooldown Time: 1 hour.
Golden Flash was an instant skill, unlike Pagma’s Swordsmanship. The speed was brilliant when used in a flat area. Just…
Grid was a warrior type player so he couldn’t use Golden Flash efficiently due to his lack of magic power. However, the current Grid…
Name: Grid
Level: 253 (11,090/39,556,900)
Class: Pagma’s Descendant
* The probability of adding additional options when making items will increas
e.
* The probably of item enhancement will increase.
* All equipment items can be worn unconditionally. However, there is a penalty depending on the rating of the item.
Title: One who Became a Legend
* Abnormal conditions don’t work well on you.
* You won’t die when health is at the minimum.
* Easily acknowledged.
Title: First Unique Item Maker
* Dexterity +200
Title: Only Legendary Item Maker
* Dexterity +350
Title: Knight Slayer
* Stamina +100.
* Strength +30
Title: Apostle of Justice
* All stats +10.
* The Apostle of Justice’s bravery is unmatched.
Title: Man who has Touched Hell
* Health +3,000
* You have the right to go to hell.
Health: 48,778/48,778 + 9,000
Mana: 5,118/5,118
Strength: 2,314(+40) Stamina: 1,182(+110)
Agility: 647(+10) Intelligence: 643(+210)
Dexterity: 1,384(+560) Persistence: 808(+10)
Composure: 594(+10) Indomitable: 675(+10)
Dignity: 594 (+10) Insight: 907(+10)
Courage: 538 (+10) Demonic Magic Power: 2 (+10)
Stat Points: 230
Weight: 45,019/110,520
Grid’s intelligence reached 853 when he wore Malacus’ Cloak. He had the level 200 stats awakening. In other words, the second awakening meant mana would increase by 6 and magic damage by 2 with every point in intelligence.
Grid currently had 1,706 magic power. What if this was multiplied by many times? The attack power would far exceed that of Bondre’s Absolute Zero.
“What…?”
Didn’t Grid always dance when he used a skill? Then what was this skill? He didn’t expect it at all.
“Ice Barrier!”
Bondre paled as he hurriedly used magic. Ice Barrier was the shield with the most ‘physical defense’ among all the shields Bondre could use. It was helpless in front of Golden Flash that dealt damage proportional to magic power.
Jjejeong!
“Heok…!”
Golden Flash completely penetrated through the shield. With its overwhelming aura, the ice barrier collapsed instantly.
[You have suffered 12,530 damage.]
A blow that took 40% of a user’s health at once would stun the user for three seconds. Just now, Bondre lost 80% of his health.
[You can’t regain your mental state.]
“W-What…!”
He felt a chill go down his spine. Dozens of energy blades were coming towards his face.
“…!”
Kwa kwa kwa kwang!
A devastating explosion shook the Lion’s Castle. The commentator witnessed a faint grey light and shouted reflexively.
『 P-Player Bondre has been logged out…! 』
This time it was 4 seconds. ‘4 seconds’ was ranked first on the real time search terms of various portal sites. The world was once again in shock.
Zibal jumped to his feet in shock.
“He broke the ice barrier? That means his magic power…!”
Zibal hadn’t lost his composure when Hurent lost. Hurent was overconfident and was stung by Grid. It didn’t mean anything more. But now that idea had changed.
‘A monster.’
Was Grid hiding a special trick? Nonsense. He wasn’t hiding anything. His power just significantly exceeded Zibal’s predictions. It was immeasurable. Yes, just like Kraugel. He was someone that couldn’t be matched until the third advancement class.
Then the world started pouring praise towards Grid. Korean netizens united for the first time in almost 100 years and shouted ‘God Grid!’ The experts also didn’t ignore Grid anymore.
『 The phrase ‘Praise God Grid’ is spreading on the Internet. I also want to praise God Grid. 』
『 That… Me too… 』
『 … 』
Satisfy.
At a hunting ground, Peak Sword witnessed a party composed of foreigners and asked them in broken English.
“Do you know Grid?”
Chapter 182
Chapter 182
No matter if this was a legendary class, wasn’t it too strong? Defeating famous rankers in a matter of seconds? It was a class that would collapse the balance. In addition, Pagma’s Descendant wasn’t a pure combat class, but a production class. Was Pagma’s Descendant intended to be this strong? Was it perhaps a bug?
Grid defeated Aura Master Hurent in 5 seconds and Bondre in 4 seconds. His stunning world debut, devastating Satisfy’s strongest players in a single blow, caused huge waves. Public opinion was boiling. The S.A. Group was flooded with inquiries.
In the end, Chairman Lim Cheolho judged that he needed to calm the atmosphere and spoke directly. The balance didn’t collapse. Pagma’s Descendant was intended to be this strong, and it wasn’t a bug.
There were a total of nine legendary classes. They were special classes only for the chosen nine people. All of them were immune to CC. That’s right. The CC Immunity was a passive skill that all nine legendary classes had in common and was a privilege exclusively for them.
Was it too much privilege? What could he do?
Originally, the world wasn’t fair. There was always one person ahead of others when it came to achievements or luck. Was everyone equal in the world? Would that world be fun? A game where no matter how hard you tried, you would end up being like someone else? Would anyone play that game?
Of course, he was well aware that normal classes might feel deprived. They didn’t need to worry. Satisfy was a world designed to make everyone happy, even if they weren’t equal.
Didn’t they already directly experience it?
The ability of all normal classes shot significantly upwards after the second advancement. With such a formula, their abilities would improve even more after the third advancement, and the gap with the legendary classes would gradually be narrowed. If the third advancement was still lacking? Then there was the fourth advancement class.
Satisfy was a game built to reward everyone. It was inevitable that the hidden classes would lead the way, but if they played the game to the best of their ability, someday the normal class users would catch up to them.
Lim Cheolho, the creator of the virtual reality, was already deified. Satisfy had been released for one year and eight months, and not a single bug had been found. Lim Cheolho’s credibility was absolute for creating such a perfect world. Most of the people in the world were convinced by Lim Cheolho’s remark.
The controversy about Grid quickly disappeared.
“…I never thought the day would come when I would lie.”
After the press conference.
Lim Cheolho’s expression wasn’t bright as he returned to his office. Pagma’s Descendant was intended to be this strong and it wasn’t a bug.
This remark. It was a lie.
Of course, it wasn’t a bug. But it was true that this went against the intentions of the creators. Pagma’s Descendant should be more normal and weaker than he was now. But Grid had become stronger than was originally planned for Pagma’s Descendant.
“Umm.”
Lim Cheolho sat in a chair and recalled Grid’s actions in the PvP. It was overwhelming strength that surpassed insufficient senses and control. The foundation of that strength was his abnormally high stats.
What was the reason for Grid’s high stats? Grid spent too long making five legendary items after becoming Pagma’s Descendant.
“Originally, he should’ve made five legendary items four months earlier than he did, making his stat growth beyond what was expected…”
Grid was too lacking in game talent. So he didn’t take advantage of the benefits of his class and wasted his time. He was stagnant for a long time. Furthermore, he was very unlucky. He fell to a minus level and could barely create legendary items.
Due to that,
he avoided the planned penalty and Pagma’s Descendant received much higher stats than the creators planned. His growth slowed due to insufficient game talent, but this was actually good luck.
“Kulkul… Indeed, a protagonist is a special existence…”
At the time of the Pope Drevigo raid. Grid had claimed he was a protagonist. And he certainly showed the actions of a protagonist. By getting rid of the corrupt pope, he saved thousands of the Rebecca people and helped Damian become the first unique class, Goddess’ Agent.
So far, the protagonist of Satisfy was definitely Grid. He changed the landscape of Satisfy with every action he took.
But.
“He isn’t the only protagonist.”
The supercomputer Morpheus reported.
[The current time is 13:01:27. Quest RD-3991X has been completed.]
“Great.”
Lim Cheolho’s gaze was fixed on the extra large monitor on the wall of the office. There was a man on the monitor that was surrounded by dozens of screens.
The ID was Kraugel. He had maintained the 1st ranking since Satisfy opened. He was the first to reach level 300 and at this moment, he achieved his third advancement class. Despite being a normal class, he became a ‘sword saint’ candidate.
“Quest RD-3991X is… The White Swordsman class?”
Right now, Kraugel was moving from the Western Continent to the Eastern Continent. He was the first user. Krugel became the first to leave footprints on the white snow that no one had stepped on yet.
‘By completing a large number of quests first, he will gobble up more than a few titles. This will make him an even more unique person.’
Lim Cheolho thought for a moment before asking a question out of pure curiosity.
“If the current Grid fought with Kraugel, who will win?”
[There is a 51.3% probability that Kraugel will win.]
“Even before he receives the new titles…?”
Once again, the world wasn’t fair. Just as there was a unique genius called Lim Cheolho in the scientific community, there was a unique genius called Kraugel in the game world. Originally, no one could exceed them.
However, there was no Grid in the scientific world, while there was Grid in the game world. He wondered how long Kraugel’s solo dominance could continue.
‘Grid has already exceeded numerous geniuses.’