Overgeared

by Park Saenal

  The world was wide and there were a lot of monsters. And most of the monsters were in the empire.

  ***

  The spacious fields of Reidan.

  Piaro was standing where wheat had started to grow. Looking at his sweaty appearance, he really was like a farmer. Then Bland and the workers saw a welcome face.

  “Duke Grid is coming here.”

  “…!”

  The eyes of all the workers turned to one side at once. It was really the lord.

  People cheered.

  “Hooray Duke Grid! Hooray Duke Grid!”

  The people of Reidan had one mindset. They cheered every time they saw Grid. It wasn’t because someone forced them. The people were just absolutely loyal to Grid.

  “The enhancement was good.”

  A blue energy was rising like a haze from Grid’s boots. Grid’s smile wasn’t because Piaro noticed quickly. He was able to strengthen both the Doppelganger’s Greatsword and Grid’s Boots to +8.

  He was lucky. In this event, his knowledge of Pagma’s Swordsmanship increased, he got a doppelganger for a pet, and he found a yellow mithril mine. Everything was going well.

  Grid wanted to maintain this momentum.

  “I think that now is the time to get your revenge. I will head to the empire.”

  His eyes were determined. Piaro felt a strong trust in Grid.

  “I believe you can get the job done.”

  [A quest has been created.]

  [The True Traitor of the Red Knights]

  Difficulty Level: SS

  Asmophel dared to rendezvous with the empress and was caught by Piaro. Piaro and his men were framed and branded as traitors.

  Due to that, he lost his men and had to flee. Now Piaro has no intention of forgiving Asmophel.

  However, it is virtually impossible for Piaro to get revenge himself.

  Piaro has made you his agent of revenge.

  Quest Clear Conditions: Kill Asmophel, the former vice captain of the Red Knights.

  Quest Reward: Piaro’s affinity will reach the peak.

  Quest Failure: Level -6.

  [Would you like to accept the quest?]

  ‘It has changed in many ways.’

  In the past when Grid was a beginner, the level of difficulty for this quest was S-grade. And the quest rewards were the title of ‘Agent of Revenge’ and Piaro’s sword. Now the difficulty had been raised and the rewards changed.

  It was a phenomenon that occurred when his relationship with Piaro improved and Piaro’s heart stabilized.

  ‘What will happen if my affinity with Piaro reaches the maximum?’

  Was it possible he would teach Grid his sword techniques?

  ‘That won’t happen.’

  Piaro’s swordsmanship belonged to his family. It wouldn’t be easy to teach others. Grid thought about it differently.

  ‘Will he become my subordinate?’

  Piaro’s power was beyond imagination. If Grid could obtain Piaro as a subordinate, it would be like obtaining a group of men. Grid was filled with great expectations and accepted the quest.

  “Believe in me.”

  Piaro saw his confidence and warned him. “I’ve said it before, but the empire is full of strong people. The process to approach Asmophel was difficult, so be cautious.”

  “I understand.”

  Grid answered well, but he wasn’t particularly nervous. Piaro spoke again. “Don’t trust your techniques. The two sword technique isn’t something that can be completely handled with such a short amount of training.”

  Grid had practiced dual wielding on the way back from the doppelganger raid. Grid nodded. “Don’t worry, I know.”

  Grid replied like this, but his inner intentions were different.

  ‘Right now I’m lacking, but that will change over time.’

  His destination was the capital of the empire, Titan. It would take at least 20 days to arrive. If he practiced steadily on the way, he would be able to use the two sword style sufficiently. It was possible because Piaro trained him well in the basics.

  ***

  The empire was the center of the world. It was natural for the empire to be the master of the continent, and it was right for kingdoms outside the empire to obey them. It was a very arrogant and selfish thought.

  But no kingdom could condemn them. The power of the Saharan Empire was overwhelming.

  “This is the village of the Ul Clan.”

  The master of the White Wolf Guild, Veradin, was a baron of the empire. He received an order from Earl Zebra to subjugate the immigrants, and he finally found the base of the enemy. It was the accomplishment at the end of a one week journey.

  Veradin was cautious. “How many enemies?”

  Kiki, a sniper used the Hawk’s Eyes skill and reported. “1,050 people. More than half of them are women and young children.”

  It meant that less than 500 people could fight properly. Veradin was relieved.

  “There’s no need for tactics. Rush from the front and wipe them out.”

  Kiki’s reaction was unsure. “No matter how I think about it, this isn’t something that people should do.”

  The Ul Clan were ordinary humans rather than monsters. They were a poor clan because they weren’t designated as citizens of the empire. It was a pity, because they were once a flourishing nation until they were deprived of their land by the empire. The few remaining people chose to hide in the most remote areas.

  Kiki was unwilling to kill them.

  Veradin rebuked her. “They’re just NPCs. Don’t be shaken by unnecessary sentiments.”

  If they killed the Ul Clan, their contribution to the empire would increase by 12 per person. Veradin wanted to build a foundation to become a viscount by performing this quest perfectly.

  Kiki sighed.

  “Sigh… I wish a golem army would arrive.”

  This was the story about the golem invasion that took place in the Eternal Kingdom several months ago. Naturally, Grid’s name emerged.

  “That Grid brat was really lucky.”

  “That’s right. He happened to become a duke in one shot by killing the golem army that invaded the kingdom by chance.”

  “Ah! I’m envious! If we belonged to the Eternal Kingdom, we would’ve been able to defeat the golems and occupied a duke’s seat!”

  As the guild members started talking about unnecessary things, Veradin scolded them.

  “Focus on the mission.”

  “Yes!”

  The guild members restored their posture. Unlike Kiki, they didn’t show any resistance to hunting the Ul Clan. Weren’t NPCs just a lump of graphics and artificial intelligence? They resembled people, but weren’t actually people.

  It was easy to kill them. It was nothing. Veradin confirmed that the guild members were emanating a fighting spirit and ordered.

  “Trample them.”

  “Waaaaahhhhh!”

  Except for Kiki, 24 guild members went down the mountain together.

  It was a tremendous speed. They didn’t slow down despite the rugged rocks. The Ul Clan discovered them along the way and fired arrows and magic from the watchtower. However, it was useless. They avoided or defended against all attacks and quickly reached the goal.

  “Get lost!”

  “Thanks for the contribution~”

  “Kuaack!”

  It was an unbelievable situation where only 24 people wiped out 1,000 people. The small village soon turned into a hell. It was a one-sided massacre.

  “P-Please, my only daughter…”

  “Just die quietly.”

  People begged, but the White Wolf guild members had no mercy. The women, children, and elderly were murdered. But the cruel killing didn’t last long.

  “I’m not the boy detective, so why do incidents happen everywhere I go? Well, I got a quest and it isn’t too bad…”

  The White Wolf members were confused. It was because a user, not an NPC, emerged from one corner of the village.

&
nbsp; ‘Who is that person?’

  He was wearing a broad-brimmed hat so his appearance and ID couldn’t be determined. The White Wolf members asked the man.

  “Who are you?”

  “Me?” The man held a jade greatsword in his hand and replied, “This time I am the Apostle of Justice.”

  Puok!

  “What?!”

  Veradin’s eyes widened. The same man appeared behind Veradin’s ally and stabbed him?

  “A clone…!”

  It wasn’t a normal clone. It was the first time he saw a clone that could exert such power.

  ‘A high level user!’

  Chapter 238

  Chapter 238

  Most clones were illusions. They were merely a gimmick that couldn’t exert substantial force. However, the unidentified man’s clone dealt a real blow. The guild member Elvo screamed as he was hit.

  The White Wolf guild members became frightened.

  ‘I heard that a third advancement assassin can have a perfect clone.’

  ‘What? Then this man is an assassin over level 300?’

  ‘Is that Faker…?’

  Faker was the number one assassin and 14th ranked monster on the unified rankings. It was rare for him to reveal himself in public, but there were many rumors. It was said that the number of users assassinated was over 10,000, and rankers were always attacked by him.

  There was a rumor that even the first ranked Kraugel suffered a level decrease after being assassinated by Faker. Of course, they were lies. Faker wasn’t a player killer. He was like Regas and liked personal training.

  But rumors were always distorted and exaggerated. The White Wolf Guild misunderstood Faker as a murderer. Was the man in front of them really Faker?

  ‘We are inferior.’

  ‘Today is my day to die!’

  The White Wolf members started to shake. They gulped and shivered. Veradin spoke a few words to calm them down. “Assassins don’t use a greatsword. In addition, they are covert. If he was Faker, we would already be dead.”

  “Ah…!”

  They were confused and overlooked the obvious facts. The guild members regained their calm as Veradin explained.

  “That person is likely to have a hidden class.”

  It was a reasonable guess. Hidden classes existed in Satisfy. It wasn’t strange if there was a hidden class specialized in clones. The guild members were relieved.

  “Phew… I’m glad. I don’t want to go against Faker.”

  “Dealing with a hidden class is easier than dealing with a third advancement ranker.”

  “Those people are too scary.”

  It showed how much the dignity of hidden classes had been lost since the third advancement classes. Veradin was alarmed at the guild members’ relaxation and warned them.

  “It’s still difficult to gauge the opponent’s ability. Don’t act hastily and step back.”

  Th White Wolf members had strong loyalty. They stepped back without a fuss as soon as Veradin commanded them.

  Step step.

  The unidentified man walked through the streets.

  “You aren’t fighting back? Are you scared?”

  As a guild master, Veradin was always cautious. He didn’t fall for the taunts. He closely watched the man and the clone as he asked. “What is your relationship with the Ul Clan? Why are you helping them?”

  The answer was concise. “I got a quest.”

  That person was Grid. During his journey, he accidentally visited the Ul Clan’s village and got a quest when the village was attacked by the enemy. He couldn’t help wondering if he was cursed to get involved in incidents wherever he went.

  [Ul Clan’s Rescue]

  Difficulty: A

  The Ul Clan have been deprived of their kingdom by the Saharan Empire, and the survivors are hiding in remote areas. However, they couldn’t escape from the empire’s surveillance and an invasion is once again occurring.

  Free them from the clutches of the empire.

  Then you will be their sun.

  Quest Clear Conditions: Repel the invaders.

  Quest Reward: Your affinity with the Ul Clan will reach the maximum.

  Quest Failure: The Ul Clan will perish.

  Four days ago.

  Prior to leaving Reidan, Grid had studied the empire and found that it carried out a policy of genocide. Minorities who didn’t serve the emperor were slaughtered in various parts of the empire. Indeed, it was a brutal oppression. If they wanted to try and oppose it?

  It was futile. Grid hadn’t accepted the Ul Clan’s quest for a noble reason. He just coveted the reward.

  ‘If they don’t have a place to go to and their affinity is at the maximum…’

  Couldn’t he accept them as his people? The Ul Clan’s quest was a chance to increase the population of Reidan. It would be ideal if he could bring all the persecuted minorities in the empire to Reidan. Grid was starting to think and act in the manner of a lord. Lauel would be impressed if he knew.

  “You have two choices.”

  Grid’s eyes shone with killing intent. He was inwardly furious after witnessing the brutality of the White Wolf Guild. Grid had high respect for NPCs due to the influence of Khan and Irene.

  “You can die easily, or you can get beaten up first before you die. Choose.”

  “Crazy bastard!”

  The White Wolf members were furious. What was this damn arrogant guy saying?

  “Veradin! How long are you going to let that brat’s mouth run wild? We should attack him right now! Anyway, he’s alone!”

  Elvo was particularly furious. He was surprise attacked by the clone and suffered damage. Veradin checked Elvo’s health gauge.

  ‘Well, it isn’t bad.’

  Elvo was a berserker, so his defense was very low. However, he only lost one-fifth of his health after the surprise attack.

  ‘The clone isn’t very strong.’

  The unknown man’s clone was much weaker than he was. This evidence clearly showed that it wasn’t very strong. ‘Maybe he can produce a lot of clones. But it’s easy to deal with clones at this level.’

  Veradin made a judgment call and ordered the guild members.

  “We won’t be able to avoid this fight. Do it.”

  “Okay!”

  Elvo was in the lead. At level 179, he was the lowest among the White Wolf members, but he liked being in the vanguard. He was very courageous and not afraid of others.

  “I’ll kill you!”

  Elvo was full of killing intent. He wanted to deal a nasty blow to the clone.

  “Dash!”

  Teong!

  A distance of 3m was narrowed in an instant. Elvo smiled with satisfaction at his own dashing ability. Then he used the ‘Madness Vortex’ skill. This was the manifestation of five powerful blows that could even cause great damage to an ogre.

  However, it met the wrong opponent.

  [The target has resisted the damage.]

  “Eh?”

  It wasn’t defense but resistance. The skill apparently hit. Then what the hell was the resistance to damage? Grid stared at the stunned Elvo.

  “You want me to die?”

  “Heok?”

  The prideful Elvo was now like a terrified rodent. It was because of the dignity stat, which had a low chance of making the enemy yield. Grid had over 1,500 dignity, so it was hard for low or medium ranked users to endure his greatness.

  [You have become lost in front of an immeasurable existence. Your head involuntarily bows. Your body is shaky and head begins to move.]

  ‘W-What…!’

  He was stunned just because he met the person’s gaze? Was this guy a medusa boss? Elvo couldn’t believe the situation right now. It was a dream. The other guild members didn’t know the situation and were rushing around, like moths to a flame.

  “Magic Transmission!”

  “Atra’s Poison!”

  “Fire Spear!”

  “Lower Cut!”

  “This
is a kick! Abyooo~!”

  All types of CC, physical attacks and magic attacks were used. 20 enemies used skills at the same time, so Grid seemed to be in danger. The silent clone came out. It was the doppelganger Randy.

  “Revolve.”

  Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!

  The counterattack skill was activated at the perfect timing. The White Wolf members were attacked by their own skills.

  “Kuaaaak!”

  “What is this absurd thing?”

  The White Wolf Guild members were agitated. What was with this clone’s skill? Furthermore, it was a counterattack skill that even a person found difficult to use? The one who was most surprised was Veradin.

  ‘He didn’t show his skills in the first surprise attack!’

  He realized it right away. Randy had 30% of Grid’s current combat power. To be honest, he was equivalent to level 200. If he wanted, he couldn’t cut the guild member in half with the first attack.

  But Randy refrained. He deliberately pretended to be weak to make the enemies less vigilant. This was Randy’s instinctive judgment, not Grid’s orders. He lost his memories of the past, but the battle experience accumulated for more than 100 years was firmly engraved in him.

  Grid admired Randy’s strategy.

  “Look at those facial expressions. I was surprised as well. Isn’t my friend really great?”

  ‘Friend?’

  Wasn’t it a clone? Then what was it? The White Wolf members fell into the black hole of confusion.

  Puok!

  Then the jade greatsword penetrated Elvo’s chest.

  [You have been hit by a lethal blow!]

  [The enemy has attacked five times using an unknown ability.]

  [You have suffered 103,900 damage.]

  ‘Over 100,000? Not 10,000, but 100,000? I don’t even have 20,000 health!’

  Elvo’s vision turned grey.

  ‘Is this a dream?’

  [Your party member Elvo has died.]

  Silence filled the area. A monster beyond imagination had appeared in front of the White Wolf members.

  But Veradin kept calm. He was part of the 10 Rookies along with Lauel and Ibellin, and he was now level 281. He didn’t feel frustrated when meeting a strong opponent. Moreover, he had a hidden card. There was a sniper who remained in the mountain.

  –Now.

  Veradin whispered and gave the signal. There was a small flash from the low mountain 300m in the rear, then an arrow came flying.