by Park Saenal
“It’s rude to interfere in a fight between men, so I endured it.”
“It wasn’t a fight between men… It was one against four.”
“Hihi, anyway, it was great.”
Youngwoo was strong like a normal person. He might not be really strong, but his courage to protect his sister deserved praise. Today, Yerim’s crush on Youngwoo became much bigger. She really wanted to marry Youngwoo.
“Urgh… Then let’s go back. And from now on, both of you are banned from going to a capsule room. I will buy both of you capsules. Yes? Eh?”
Youngwoo tried to get up from the chair he was sitting on. But his muscles were sore from the aftermath of the fight and being hit. Yerim grabbed Youngwoo to stop him from falling sideways.
“Haah.” Yerim let out a strange sound. It was because Youngwoo’s fingers had moved from her underarm to her waist.
“W-What?”
Youngwoo became surprised by the sound while Yerim blushed and her eyes became moist.
“…Oppa is a really great person.”
What did that mean? Sehee didn’t know the meaning, but Youngwoo understood it properly. He cleared his throat from the embarrassment.
Chapter 225
Chapter 225
“Finally! Finally level 300!”
It had been four months since the Overgeared Guild moved to Reidan. Toban was the last member of the former Tzedakah Guild to reach level 300. The powerful monsters of the west stimulated their growth.
“There will be a cataclysm in the unified rankings.”
“Cataclysm?”
“The top seven have firmly maintained their rankings but… I can safely say that most of the top 40 rankings are dominated by the Overgeared members.”
“Why is that a cataclysm? It isn’t anything special.”
Originally, all of the Tzedakah Guild members were ranked in the top 50. The average ranking had only risen by 10, so Grid thought it wasn’t that big of a deal.
‘It is rather strange that no one has entered the top seven, despite the items I made.’
Grid might be disappointed, but the world was astonished. The top 100 rankings didn’t fluctuate easily, so the present growth rate of the Overgeared members was unprecedented. Media companies around the world wondered ‘What secrets are hidden in Reidan that can allow them to grow so quickly?’
『 The reporters have failed to enter the west. 』
『 In the western part of the Eternal Kingdom, there are monsters that have never been seen before. Experts speculate that only a party of at least level 280 users or rankers can enter… 』
『It seems like the Overgeared members are raising their level quickly by hunting the powerful monsters in the west. 』
『 Um… The monsters in the west will be a double-edged sword to the Overgeared Guild. The level up speed of the Overgeared members has risen exponentially, but there are few users who can move to Reidan due to the high entry barriers. 』
『 That’s right. Reidan’s speed of development will be slow. Duke Grid will definitely be hurt. 』
Ttang! Ttang!
There was the constant sound of hammering from the large smithy in Reidan. The 30 young blacksmiths taught by Khan were constantly producing the supplies that Reidan needed.
‘I’m tired.’
Grid was still busy despite the manpower increasing. After their third advancement class, the Overgeared members commissioned more powerful items, so he needed to continue making items.
‘But this damn hammering will be over soon.’
He only had five commissions left. Grid was free after he made those five items.
‘Let’s plan for the future.’
Grid had personal challenges. The first was to complete his class quest, the second was to recover all the pavranium, and the third was to complete Piaro’s quest. His work as a lord? He had the incomparably clever Lauel and Rabbit to take care of it, so there were no problems.
“You over there.”
Grid stopped hammering and called out to a soldier guarding the entrance of the smithy.
“Did you call?”
The soldier ran over with tight discipline.
‘The great duke called me!’
The soldier’s eyes shone like lanterns as Grid ordered. “Bring Minor here.”
“Yes!”
After 30 minutes.
“Oh, what do you want?”
A boy with a disgruntled expression came to the smithy. Despite possessing the talents of a great miner, he was fostered as a ‘minerals detector’ because he possessed the skill ‘Minerals Master (S+).
“I will give you an escort to search for the presence of the golem’s labyrinths here in the west.”
“It isn’t an escort, but surveillance.”
“Someday, I will give you freedom if you swear true allegiance to me.”
“…Well, I do acknowledge you these days. You’re a commoner who became a duke. But I’m still wondering if a genius like me should devote the rest of my life to you.”
Minor possessed the skill ‘Talent will Reveal Itself (SS).’ His talent would always be clear to others, so he was destined to receive a lot of temptations in life. He was arrogant and would easily betray a person, so his loyalty wasn’t guaranteed.
“Is it lacking to be the subordinate of a duke?”
“Indeed. At a minimum, shouldn’t it be a king?”
“Hoh… You should remember that.”
Grid would surely become a king and would obtain him. Grid pledged as he waved his hands.
“Go now.”
“Yes, yes.”
Minor gave an insincere answer. But Grid knew better than anyone that he would work properly.
‘The problem if searching for pavranium in the west is resolved…’
The only things left were the class quest and Piaro’s revenge quest. However, he couldn’t proceed with his class quest right now. It was impossible for Grid to get God Yatan to bless the pavranium.
‘Even Yura doesn’t knew where the First Servant of the Yatan Church is… First, I should resolve Piaro’s grudge.’
The cause of Piaro’s heart sickness, Asmophel. If Grid defeated the former vice-captain of the Red Knights, Piaro could be freed from these chains.
‘Once he is in a perfect condition, he might become my subordinate…’
The hopeful Grid continued making items.
Then five items later.
Grid completely all the items for the guild members and used the skill the Legendary Blacksmith’s Creation.
[Legendary Blacksmith’s Creation Skill]
You can create three equipment item production methods every time the skill level of the ‘Legendary Blacksmith’s Craftsmanship Skill’ goes up.
Number of items that can be created at present: 12/15.
* When items are produced using this skill, the name of the creator is automatically placed on the item.
Then the familiar notification windows started to emerge.
[What item do you want to create?]
“Heavy boots.”
[Have you decided on ‘Heavy Boots?’]
“Yes.”
[What materials would you like to use?]
“Um…”
He shouldn’t use only high grade minerals such as black iron, mithril and blue orichalcum as materials. The reason Grid wanted to make heavy boots was because he wanted weight. According to Piaro’s advice, the heavier the shoes worn, the greater the power of the greatsword.
“The main material will be steel. I will mix blue orichalcum into it to add strength and hardness, and to make it exert more power in dark places. Ah, I have to make the color darker by mixing in black iron so that it will harmonize with my armor.”
[Have you decided?]
“Yes.”
[Please design the item.]
Grid was a lot more smart and skillful compared to when he first created Failure. He perfectly drew the shape of the boots he wanted on th
e blank blueprint in front of him.
“It’s done.”
Over the past four months, he made more than 600 items and his dexterity stat exceeded 3,000 points. Thanks to that, Grid was able to draw a delicate image and the shape of the boots was completed in a practical and excellent manner. They were big, black boots that came up to just below the knees. They had a rustic type of beauty.
[Have you decided? When you complete the blueprint, the number of available creation skill will decrease by one.]
Grid clicked the button without hesitation. Then the shape of the boots was corrected by the system to make it look more perfect.
[Please describe the characteristics of the item.]
“Heavy and solid boots. Thanks to the nature of blue orichalcum, the defense will increase in dark places.”
It was a simple, but accurate description. Based on Grid’s description, the system started distributing the performance and options of the item.
[Finally, please decide the name of the item.]
From now on, all the items he created would proudly boast of the legendary blacksmith who created them. Grid replied in a proud voice, “Grid’s Boots.”
[Have you decided on ‘Grid’s Boots?’]
“Yes.”
Grid planned to attach his name to every item he designed in the future.
‘I will aim to complete a set item based on these boots.’
[A new item, ‘Grid’s Boots’ have been created.]
[Grid’s Boots]
Rating: Epic ~ Legendary
Epic Rating Information:
Durability: 335/335 Defense: 324
Movement Speed: -12%
Evasion Rate: -14%
* Increases defense by 10% against attacks from the bottom.
* When using a dashing skill, there is a 30% chance of failure.
* Defense will increase by 10% in dark places.
Unique Rating Information:
Durability: 401/401 Defense: 388
Movement Speed: -10%
Evasion Rate: -12%
* Increases defense by 12% against attacks from the bottom.
* When using a dashing skill, there is a 25% chance of failure.
* Defense will increase by 15% in dark places.
Legendary Rating Information:
Durability: 496/496 Defense: 470
Movement Speed: -8%
Evasion Rate: -10%
* Increases defense by 15% against attacks from the bottom.
* When using a dashing skill, there is a 20% chance of failure.
* Defense will increase by 20% in dark places.
An item designed by a legendary blacksmith. Designed with a perfect combination of steel, black iron and blue orichalcum, it boasts overwhelming defense. However, there are many disadvantages to its function because it is only focused on defense.
In particular, it is too heavy, so movement is restricted.
User Restriction: Level 320 or higher. More than 1,450 strength. More than 1,200 stamina. Advanced Heavy Armor Mastery Level 5 or higher.
Weight: 2,930
The effectiveness was very low compared to Braham’s Boots. It could be considered to be boots designed specifically for tanker classes, rather than damage dealers who relied on charging techniques. However, the defense was nearly twice as strong as armor of the same class. The defense was unusually high for boots, considering that boots had a quarter of the defense of armor.
‘This is perfect for me.’
In the first place, Grid didn’t have a evasive type of fighting style. He favored swinging the sword. It wasn’t just a matter of control, but a style unique to the greatsword. Furthermore, Grid had no charging skills.
‘The boots won’t have any negative effect on me, except for a reduction in movement speed. These boots will also suit Vantner and Toban.’
Grid was satisfied with the finished creation. He dreamed that one day, both him and the Overgeared members would be armed with a ‘Grid set,’ and started to make an item for himself.
Ttang! Ttang!
“Ohh…!”
The skills of a legendary blacksmith was constantly studied by 30 young blacksmiths and Khan, so the future was bright.
***
It had been a year since the fall of Pope Drevigo. Who would become the new pope after Drevigo? Numerous senior priests ran as pope candidates. Most of them were good priests and had a sense of mission to lead 70 million people to the path of light.
However, a small number of them wanted to be the pope to satisfy their individual needs. In particular, Pascal of the Judar Church was very ambitious.
“What if I became the master of 70 million people? The momentum of our family will pierce the sky and Father will surely become a duke.”
Pascal’s father was an earl of the Saharan Empire. Originally Pascal was a viscount, but he joined the church and became the leader of the Judar Church. Now he was looking at a higher place.
“I understand. Pascal, I will help you become the pope.”
The largest religion on the continent was on the verge of falling into the hands of the empire. At this time, the 70 million people who followed Goddess Rebecca’s teachings might become a political tool of the empire.
“Isabel-chan!”
The first unique hidden class, Damian, was trembling with sorrow. It was because Isabel’s life was sharply decreasing after the unsealing of Lifael’s Spear.
Chapter 226
Chapter 226
White Transformation referred to the technique of borrowing the goddess’ power stored in the three divine artifacts of the Rebecca Church. It was a technique that allowed a person to borrow power that exceeded the human body. However, this power placed a heavy burden on the body.
Rebecca’s Daughters refrained from using White Transformation as much as possible, and shortened the duration when they inevitably had to use it. But Isabel had been in the White Transformation state for the past year.
It was because Grid unsealed Lifael’s Spear. Her life energy was rapidly becoming depleted.
“Cough! Cough!”
Her platinum hair had turned grey. Her shining eyes were faded like she was dead, and her normally flushed cheeks were pale. Nevertheless, she still looked beautiful.
‘Right now she is only 18 years old…’
She was about to die at this age.
Damian looked at Isabel out of habit and finally started crying. “How many times have I told you? I said that Lifael’s Spear must be sealed! Then why… Why aren’t you listening to me? Huh…? Isabel-chan, are the orders so important? More than your life?”
“Cough! Cough!”
Isabel lying in bed didn’t answer. She was staring at the distant sky out the window and her hearing had long been lost. She didn’t even hear Damian’s voice shouting right beside her.
“Isabel-chan…”
Damian’s handsome face twisted. His face was streaked with tears and a runny nose, so someone laughed at him.
“Why are you empathizing with tools?”
It was Pascal. He entered Isabel’s room without knocking, causing Damian to tremble.
“You…! How many times have I warned you not to describe them as tools?”
Damian hated Pascal.
The 5th Pope Franz felt a moment of compassion and sealed the divine artifacts of the church, leading to the weakening of the church. This was the logic used to convince the church that Lifael’s Spear shouldn’t be sealed again.
The person who spoke it was Pascal.
Pascal just shrugged. “Rebecca’s Daughters are fostered to serve this church in exchange for their lives. Don’t get caught up in useless sympathy and think about what is needed to keep the church. You are just damaging yourself.”
As his descendant, Pascal respected 5th Pope Franz. However, he couldn’t understand all of Franz’ policies. From the beginning, weren’t Rebecca’s Daughters people brought up as tools? Sealing the power of the divine artifacts just
because they couldn’t endure it?
It was preposterous. An ignorant mistake. Pascal and most of the senior priests of the Rebecca Church thought this way. They planned to contact Pagma’s Descendant so that he could release the seals of the two remaining artifacts as soon as possible.
But Damian couldn’t tolerate it.
“I will never accept it.”
Rebecca’s paladins were much weaker than the Judar and Dominion paladins, so it wasn’t a popular class. However, Damian walked this path to the end without giving up just because of Rebecca’s Daughters.
Isabel, Rin, Luna. Damian longed for these three girls to always be happy. He wished for them to smile forever. He couldn’t stand them suffering.
“They are people like us. And they have worked harder for this church than anyone else. To disparage them and call them mere tools… Goddess Rebecca won’t forgive it.”
“You dare mention Goddess Rebecca? You are deceived by the beautiful appearance of the tools and lost control. Stupid.”
Pascal laughed at Damian. It was similar to those who ridiculed Damian in reality for running a fancafe of Rebecca’s Daughters.
Damian couldn’t understand them. “…Why do you have to ridicule someone’s love and respect?”
“The problem is that the target is a tool, not a person.”
“Isn’t this just like people in reality saying that Rebecca’s Daughters are NPCs, not humans…?”
“Reality? NPC? I can’t understand the language you are using.”
“Shut up!”
“…”
Pascal was the former leader of the Judar Church and a pope candidate, so he had mighty divine power. Rebecca’s Daughters were the only ones in the church with higher divine power than him.
However, at this moment.
“They are people too! They rejoice in every moment! They are impressed! Angry! Sad! They are the same as us! Not tools or NPCs! Don’t compare them to such things!”
The divine power that Damian emitted was threatening. It was a threat to Pascal, who was likely to become the pope after Drevigo.
‘This is the power of the Goddess’ Agent…!’
Pascal had always ignored Damian, who usually chased after Rebecca’s Daughters. He had laughed when he heard some priests talk about trying to put Damian as pope, but now he was wary of Damian.