Overgeared

by Park Saenal

  “The new broadcast will raise my value even more.”

  Tadak. Tadak. Tadak.

  Bunny Bunny sat in front of a computer for three days. He had his meals in front of a computer and reduced his sleep. He concentrated on editing the video while wearing thick glasses.

  “Okay, very nice.”

  Bunny Bunny was very pleased with the 10 hour video that was gradually being completed.

  Prince Ren marching off resolutely. A young knight struggling against the great swordsman, Chucksley. Grid appearing in a dramatic moment to overpower Prince Ren’s army. The Reidan soldiers, who turned the royal army into masses of experience. In the end, Prince Ren fell to his knees before Grid. Grid showed mercy to Prince Ren and reigned over thousands of soldiers.

  As a bonus, the farmer who crushed Hurent…

  The war footage of the Reidan army and royal army was a blockbuster. There were plenty of spectacular and stimulating sights to make the viewers enthralled. Thanks to Bunny Bunny’s great filming and editing techniques, there was nothing boring.

  ‘In particular, the finale is the highlight.’

  Grid looked down at the kneeling Prince Ren with a haughty attitude. The viewers would realize something when watching Grid say ‘I will forgive your sins.’ They would know that Grid was a clever person who looked to the future.

  ‘The ones who mock Grid for only using items will be shut down.’

  Bunny Bunny liked Grid’s character very much. He showed a great dignity as a lord, while showing abrupt speeches and absolute force. He always appeared in dramatic moment and was suitable to be a protagonist.

  ‘His appearance is also becoming better.’

  His skeleton had been further refined by exercise. In particular, his sharp jawline was now visible. It was a subtle difference when actually looking at him, but it was different in the video. This was because elements on the screen could be changed significantly by minor factors.

  ‘I want to get closer to Grid in the future in order to obtain more opportunities to film.’

  Ttiring~

  Bunny Bunny was putting the final touches on the editing when an email arrived. It was from Lauel. Bunny Bunny narrowed his eyes as he checked the contents of the email.

  “He is as thorough as rumored.”

  Lauel had two requirements. First, pay 40% of all Grid-related proceeds to Overgeared. Secondly, delete the scene where Grid allowed Prince Ren to live.

  ‘The profit distribution is more than twice the average…’

  Still, it was something he could afford. It was worth spending this much. But why did he want to delete the last scene that would imprint Grid’s charisma onto the public?

  Why? Bunny Bunny worried about it for a long time before figuring out Lauel’s intentions.

  ‘Wasn’t Grid framed for killing Prince Ren?’

  In such a situation, what if it spread that Grid released Prince Ren?

  ‘…Some people might think that Grid stabbed Prince Ren in the back.’

  It would be misunderstood that Grid let Prince Ren leave alive, only to chase and assassinate him.

  ‘It is a situation where the person who killed Prince Ren can’t be specifically pointed out. Well, the misunderstanding might be resolved if Grid tries to explain it.’

  However, it was a sensitive issue, so the public might be indifferent to the clarification.

  ‘Yes, there is no need to scratch at the surface.’

  Bunny Bunny was convinced and started editing the video again.

  Then two days later.

  The nine hour video of the war between Grid and Prince Ren was broadcasted by Bunny Bunny. The reaction was explosive. It exceeded even Bunny Bunny’s expectations.

  -Wow… That knight called Laden has excellent skills. Not giving into the enemy until the end for his lord…

  –A Named NPC? Ordinary players like us can never meet them…ㅋ

  -Chucksley is the real thing. He’s a great swordsman.

  –Ohh! Grid!

  –Crazy; Look at Grid;;;

  –Wow… I never thought he could match Chucksley… He’s even giving Reidan’s soldiers experience while dealing with Chucksley ㅋㅋ

  –I can’t look away.

  –I felt it since he hit the Red Knight, but Grid has really improved his control skills.

  –I agree. There is no comparison to the National Competition or the golem invasion.

  –What are those golden hands? ;;

  –What Grid ㅋㅋㅋ Does he want to be a thousand-armed person in the future? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

  –Grid oppa has used Blackening.

  –I prefer the white version.

  In the past, there were many people who expressed dissatisfaction towards Grid. Some even showed hostility. They couldn’t acknowledged Grid, who showed poor skills and only relied on items. But now it was different.

  People felt attracted to Grid. Over time, the users saw Grid growing and ‘wanted to become like Grid someday.’

  –Eh?

  The enthusiastic audience watching Bunny Bunny’s broadcast became quiet. It was due to Hurent, who won Prince Ren’s trust and led 2,000 troops. He repeatedly said that he would repay his grudge while moving through the Altes Mountains.

  –Farmers?

  That’s right. Farmers blocked their way. The viewers were disappointed.

  –What is wrong with those farmers? ㄷㄷ

  –Blocking the front of an army… Do they want to commit suicide?

  –How poor… Pitiful.

  That was the common belief. All the viewers were worried about the lives of the farmers. But what was the real scene? 2,000 soldiers were defeated by a farmer who used a legendary wide area skill. They should be worried about Hurent.

  Puk.

  “Eek?”

  Puk.

  “Huk!”

  Puk.

  “Heeeok…!”

  “…”

  At present, the number of viewers for Bunny Bunny’s broadcast had reached 300,000. The first user to become a duke, Grid, and the prince of a kingdom were fighting. It was a hot topic that caused the audience interest to explode.

  As hundreds of thousands of viewers watched, Hurent was defeated by a farmer. He was hit in the forehead three times by a hand plow and became a rag. It was a shocking event that would cause a wave beyond the legendary ‘5 second logout’ incident.

  The world was in an uproar for a while. News related to Grid was played unceasingly in South Korea as well as the world.

  “This war hasn’t revealed Duke Grid’s real power. Jishuka, Regas, Pon and the other Overgeared members didn’t participate.”

  “Grid’s actual power must be several times stronger than what was shown here.”

  Various media and public opinion was concentrated not just on Grid, but Grid’s forces. Numerous experts rated Grid’s power as two or three times what was shown. But they didn’t know. Two times? Three times? How funny. After merging with the Silver Knights Guild and obtaining Yura, Grid was 10 times stronger than what he showed in the war.

  Even now.

  Grid’s strength was increasing by leaps and bounds.

  “Let’s build a temple for Goddess Rebecca in Reidan.”

  14th Pope Damian. The first user to acquire the status of pope was trying to start his first foreign activity after stabilizing the church.

  ***

  The spacious fields of Reidan.

  Hurent hadn’t been able to stretch his back for hours already. There was no time to breathe, thanks to Piaro’s thorough supervision.

  “Don’t bend your knees when bowing your back.”

  Furthermore, Piaro had too many unnecessary requirements. Hurent was exhausted and he couldn’t bear it anymore.

  “Don’t bend my knees when bowing my waist? Isn’t that too hard? It’s complete torture!”

  “Hard work is the way you train your body. If it’s easier, your body won’t be trained and you might be hurt in the long run.�
��

  “…I see.”

  Hurent was confused. Wasn’t he a prisoner? But he was being trained rather than treated as simple labor. In fact, the rewards for the ‘★Hidden Quest★ Fun and Exciting Training!’ was of immense value.

  “Why are you being so good to me? Do you plan to make me Grid’s subordinate? It won’t work. I will never be Grid’s subordinate. My goal is to make Grid kneel within four seconds.

  Piaro explained to Hurent.

  “In one week, I will be heading into Altes Mountain to do a mass-scale land clearing. My goal is to train you as much as possible by then to make you the best labor force.”

  “…Dammit. I knew it. You wouldn’t do this for no reason.”

  Hurent grumbled but followed Piaro’s instructions. He couldn’t help it when looking at the quest reward. The moment he was immersed in the rice planting.

  “It’s been a long time, Brother.”

  A man with his face and name deeply covered by a straw hat arrived. He walked across the fields in a leisurely manner and gave a friendly greeting to Piaro.

  “You have grown!”

  Piaro was a crazy farmer who attacked people for no reason.

  ‘I don’t know who he is, but I feel sorry for him.’

  Hurent shook his head. The man with the straw hat. The foolish man who greeted Piaro was attacked. Piaro’s hand plow attacks were quick and irregular. Even an aura master couldn’t match it. Hurent predicted that the man in the straw hat would have his forehead struck by a hand plow.

  However, the result was different from what he expected.

  Chaaeng!

  A beautifully shining white sword easily blocked Piaro’s hand plow.

  “Heok.”

  That crazy farmer’s hand plow could be blocked? Hurent was astonished while Piaro cried out.

  “You have far exceeded my past self…!”

  There were only two people who had ever made Piaro feel thrilled. Pagma’s Descendant Grid and White Swordsman Kraugel. That’s right. The identity of the man in the straw hat was the 1st ranked user, Kraugel.

  “I’m stuck at the last wall blocking my ultimate goal. I’m asking for a spar with you in order to break that wall.”

  The peak of two billion users and…

  A unique existence who gobbled up all types of titles. He was trying to get ahead of everyone else.

  And on this day.

  It was the historic first meeting between Grid and Kraugel. It was a turning point for both men.

  Chapter 348

  Chapter 348

  “I’m stuck at the last wall blocking my ultimate goal. I’m asking for a spar with you in order to break that wall.”

  “Hoh, the ultimate goal you are aiming at. The goal must be…”

  They were meaningful words.

  Piaro asked carefully, “Is it becoming a sword saint?”

  Kraugel didn’t deny it.

  “That’s right.”

  “Haha.”

  Sword Saint. It meant a saint of the sword. A person who reached the extremes of swordsmanship and received enlightenment was always the strongest in history. Muller, who managed to suppress and seal the bodies of the great demons like Hell Gao, Drasion, Morax, Astaroth, and Purpu.

  After Muller, no sword saint had been born in the last 100 years. Now Kraugel was close to reaching a level that even Piaro couldn’t achieve.

  ‘He has enough talent.’

  Piaro had been very amazed when he first met Kraugel. It was because Kraugel’s talent was higher than the person who was praised as the strongest swordsman on the continent. Yes, Piaro had seen through him from the beginning. If there was a person who would surpass him one day, it would surely be Kraugel.

  ‘But.’

  He felt strangely irritated after seeing Kraugel’s growth.

  ‘I never even saw the threshold…’

  Duguen.

  Duguen! Duguen!

  His heart beat wildly. The fighting spirit that had been lost since becoming a farmer was currently wriggling. This uncontrollable fighting spirit made his blood become hot like lava.

  “Are you qualified?”

  Was he qualified to achieve something that even Piaro, a legend, couldn’t do? Kraugel read Piaro’s feelings from his provocative question and made a serious expression.

  “Please check it for yourself.”

  Just as Piaro was always the strongest, Kraugel was the same. He was always aware of his position as the peak of two billion users. He didn’t consider himself inferior to others, and was filled with passion and pride. For him, Piaro was a good friend as well as a mountain that must be surpassed.

  “I will apply for a spar. Do you accept?”

  “Of course.”

  Piaro nodded. This would allow Kraugel to achieve the quest prerequisites.

  [Sword Saint]

  Difficulty: SSS

  Win against a legend.

  It was a simple and clear quest, assuming that he could meet a legend. But the degree of difficulty was high enough to be described as absurd. A person who wasn’t a legend had to win over a legend? This was indeed…

  ‘Interesting.’

  That’s right. Rather than grumbling or being disgusted like a regular person, he felt delighted. New challenges were necessary to increase his passion. On the other hand, Hurent doubted his ears.

  ‘Sword saint? A sword saint! It can’t be!’

  There were only one other person who was a candidate for a sword saint. Hurent stared at the man in the straw hat. He wanted to look at the skill of a sword saint candidate. He left the field and followed after Piaro and the man.

  ***

  “Stab.”

  “Hiyap!”

  “Cut.”

  “Haap!”

  “Chop.”

  “Huriyat~!”

  The war 10 days ago had awakened Reidan’s soldiers. Reidan’s soldiers no longer wasted time complaining during the practical training. They needed strength to protect their family, home, lover, and friends!

  They couldn’t be lazy because they felt the importance of it through the war. Now, even if Asmophel didn’t force them, the soldiers enthusiastically immersed themselves in training and wanted to increase its intensity.

  Their grudge against Grid melted away. They felt greater loyalty than before.

  He trained them in anticipation of the enemy’s invasion, showed them a great dance on the battlefield and gave them the most powerful ‘Mass Produced Grid Set,’ so the soldiers felt respect and thanks.

  “How about it, young lord? These brave young men are soldiers of Duke Grid. Aren’t they really reliable?”

  Asmophel asked with a confident expression. Lord sighed as he watched the soldiers’ training from within Ruby’s arms.

  “Abu… Bububu.”

  “…?”

  Asmophel was stunned. Lord’s attitude and disgruntled expression seemed like he was saying, ‘The level of the soldiers is poor.’

  ‘What?’

  The young lord could understand his words and answered them? Furthermore, he could see the strength of the trained soldiers? No, how could a baby sigh in the first place?

  ‘…Was I dreaming for a moment?’

  Asmophel wasn’t convinced and felt confused in many ways. Ruby smiled at him.

  “It hasn’t even been a month since my nephew was born. How can he understand your words? Don’t pay attention to the baby’s reactions.”

  “…Yes.”

  Yes, he was interpreting it in the wrong way. Asmophel nodded at Ruby’s words, while Lord pointed elsewhere with his fingers. It was the direction of the magic tower.

  “Oh my, does this mean you want to see where the magicians are?”

  Ruby asked and Lord nodded. Asmophel saw him and was terrified.

  ‘You really are aware of our words!’

  He heard that Lord was a genius, but he thought it was exaggerated. Now it turned out that the rumor actually downplayed it.

/>   ‘Being able to communicate with adults less than a month after being born… There is no doubt that he will be an outstanding scholar or magician in the future.’

  It was understandable that he should think so. Lord didn’t respond to the strong soldiers of Reidan because he didn’t have the knowledge.

  ‘He was born with intelligence, not the eyes to see martial arts.’

  The moment Asmophel thought this.

  “I want to use this place, so can you ask the soldiers to leave?”

  Piaro, a long-time friend and commander of Reidan, visited and asked for help. He was supposed to be doing field work at this time, so Asmophel questioned him.

  “What will you be doing?”

  Piaro pointed to the man in the straw hat who came with him.

  “I am going to spar with this friend.”

  “Hoh.”

  Asmophel detected Kraugel’s strength with one glance and expressed interest.

  ‘He’s difficult to measure.’

  It was the first time he had seen this since Piaro. Asmophel checked the schedule and ordered the soldiers.

  “Go around the desert once.”

  The desert around Reidan was vast, but Asmophel spoke it easily. Frankly, it was a tall order. Yet the soldiers replied enthusiastically.

  “Yes!”

  They would run until they died. This was the current attitude of the Reidan soldiers. The soldiers got ready and left the training grounds at noon.

  Then the huge training grounds that could accommodate thousands of people only contained Piaro, Kraugel, Asmophel, Ruby, and Lord. There was a total of six people if Hurent was included.

  He thought he had gone unnoticed, but Hurent had been caught from the beginning. Asmophel approached him as he watched from behind a huge tree.

  “Outsiders aren’t allowed in this place.”

  “Heok?”

  Hurent was startled. He hid himself as much as possible using aura, but he was still found in an instant? This person called Asmophel, he definitely had great skills like Piaro.

  ‘Where did Grid collect all these monsters?’