Overgeared

by Park Saenal

  “…What!?”

  The disadvantage of Pagma’s Swordsmanship was its high mana consumption and long cooldowns. But he overcame those shortcomings with the powerful combination of skills. That’s right. Grid knew that it was possible to combine the skills of Pagma’s Swordsmanship. But according to the experiments conducted by Grid, it was limited to combining two skills. However, Grid’s clone had combined three skills.

  ‘I never managed to do it.’

  The impact on Grid was great. It showed a skill combination that he didn’t even know about? His pride was hurt and he was confused. Now he couldn’t afford to be worried.

  ‘It’s urgent to determine what skills it has.’

  The time that passed was less than a second. Grid’s brain started turning quickly.

  ‘In the case of the level 2 Linked Kill, the power of Kill is weakened, but it can shoot anywhere from 3~8 attacks.’

  Then what if Wave was added to it?

  ‘It can’t be!’

  A terrible thought passed through Grid’s head.

  ‘Will Kill be continuously unfolded in a wave?’

  No, that was too much of a scam. There was no way. He tried to shake his head, but couldn’t help but have a bad feeling.

  Kurururung!

  Grid’s clone moved its sword in the air and quickly connected Kill.

  Kwa kwa kwa kwang!

  The red afterglow of Kill was overlaid with the blue of Wave, spreading out in all directions. It was truly overwhelming. The power of each one was lethal, and also had the slowing function of Wave. Grid used Fly to escape, but it chased after him like a hungry beast.

  ‘Unbelievable!’

  Grid felt like when he was confronting Piaro’s skill. The fusion of three of Pagma’s Swordsmanship skills was powerful and perfect. Yes, this was a true legendary skill.

  ‘I must learn it.’

  Grid felt admiration, astonishment, and desperation. He needed to cope with the eight Kills. His past self would’ve likely been hit before he could escape. But.

  ‘I have Revolve.’

  Revolve had a cooldown time of 2 minutes. But using it first would be disadvantageous. What if he used Revolve? The other side would also use Revolve to send it back to him.

  ‘Not yet.’

  Grid summoned four God Hands to block four of the Kill attacks. However, the clone also used his God Hands to keep Grid’s God Hands in check.

  ‘Dammit!’

  Grid saw that the God Hands were blocked and summoned Randy.

  ‘Change locations with me!’

  –Yes!

  He felt sorry and ashamed that he had to sacrifice Randy. But what could he do? A user would lose experience and items when dying, but a pet only received the penalty of not being summoned for 24 hours. Objectively, it was right to sacrifice Randy instead of Grid.

  Supak!

  Randy copied Grid’s appearance as soon as he appeared and changed positions with Grid.

  Pepepepeok!

  Afterwards, Randy was hit by the eight Kill attacks.

  “Kyaaak!”

  Randy cried out with pain as he turned to grey. Grid felt a stinging pain in his chest.

  [Doppelganger Randy’s health has fallen to 0.]

  [Randy is forced to return to the pet inventory. You can’t summon it for the next 24 hours.]

  “You!”

  Grid’s eyes were grim as he saw the rising notification windows. Randy and Kill collided, causing an explosion. Then Grid moved through it and used Kill on the clone. Grid wanted his clone to respond with Revolve. Grid would then respond with the Lv.3 Revolve, which returned 160% of the damage. He could neutralize the counterattack and cause more damage at the same time.

  However, the clone didn’t do as Grid wanted. Unlike the stupid BOT (artificial intelligence players) that could be seen in normal games, Grid’s clone was equipped with the artificial intelligence of a named NPC. The clone recognized the fact that using Revolve first was a disadvantage.

  Puok!

  It was perfectly calculated. The clone judged that he wouldn’t die even if he was stabbed in the heart with Kill. A chill went down Grid’s spine. The clone started moving his feet the moment he was hit by Kill.

  ‘This is the footwork of Link…!’

  Kill had straight footwork, while Link was curved. Of course, Grid judged that it was possible to avoid Kill using the movements of Link. In fact, Grid’s clone knew it as well.

  Halt!

  The clone used the footwork of Kill to move backwards, then moved to the left and right. At this point, Grid cut at his clone with Link.

  Pit!

  Pipipipipit!

  Blood splattered. However, the momentum of Grid’s clone didn’t die. Grid received solid evidence. Grid’s clone succeeded in using a skill while hit by Link.

  “Pinnacle Kill.”

  “…!!”

  Combining a skill without using Link as the medium? Grid’s eyes widened. At this moment, Grid’s confusion was reaching the extreme. But the countless battle experience he’d built up so far wasn’t in vain.

  Grid acted instinctively. He responded by twisting the trajectory of Link to cut the Pinnacle Kill. But Link was a technique that focused on speed rather than power. The power wasn’t comparable to Pinnacle Kill or Kill. It was a bad idea to defend against the combined Pinnacle Kill with Link.

  Chaaeng!

  Pinnacle Kill crushed the power of Link.

  Puok!

  [You have suffered 59,300 damage.]

  “Kuaaaak!”

  Grid let out a large scream and felt stunned. A targeted skill that combined the power of Kill and Pinnacle. It was an outrageous power that made Grid’s defense obsolete.

  [You have lost more than half of your health in one blow! You will be stunned for three seconds!]

  [Resisted with the passive effect of One who Became a Legend.]

  “Shit…”

  Grid hurriedly moved. He wanted to use Pagma’s Swordsmanship, Wave, to open up the distance and escape. However, there was a clear difference between Grid and Grid’s clone. The moment that Grid’s clone used Linked Kill Wave, Grid had tried to find a way to avoid it. But the clone’s main focus was on blocking Grid’s skills. This meant that the clone was a cut above Grid.

  Puok!

  “Kuk…!”

  Grid shook tremendously as he used Wave. It was because the clone precisely broke his ankle, causing his posture to collapse. Due to that, the skill casting was cancelled.

  ‘This rotten person knows my weaknesses better than me.’

  He couldn’t help cursing. Grid was still lacking. He hated his own ignorance that allowed the clone to stop his casting.

  Swaeek!

  Iyarugt was swung towards Grid. After using the skill with Grid’s Greatsword, it had swapped to Iyarugt. It was proof that the clone had high comprehension of items.

  “Blackening.”

  Peeng!

  Black magic exploded with Grid in the center. Grid avoided the enemy’s attacks while confirming his rising stats. He linked Blacksmith’s Rage and Quick Movements, before using Linked Kill. It was so fast that Grid’s clone couldn’t prevent it.

  Puok!

  Puk puk!

  [You have dealt 35,300 damage to the target.]

  [You have dealt 36,106 damage to the target.]

  ‘I did it properly!’

  He stabbed the greatsword forward and bet on his victory. Grid believed he would clear the 40th island the moment that the next Linked Kill strike was about to strike flesh But what was the truth? It was the wrong judgment.

  [The target has recovered 54,159 health.]

  Doran’s Ring instantly restored 50% of the damage as health, while the Holy Light Armor raised health regeneration by 300%.

  Grid’s clone quickly restored his health by taking advantage of these two items. He followed up with Blacksmith’s Rage and Quick Movements, succeeding in avoiding Grid’s third Linked Kill.


  ‘It’s a scam.’

  The effect of Doran’s Ring and the Holy Light Armor was ridiculously excellent. Had he been using such fraudulent items all this time? He felt sorry for all the enemies he’d faced in the meantime.

  ‘Well, whatever.’

  Doran’s Ring had a cooldown time of 10 minutes. Grid hadn’t used Doran’s Ring yet. He had one more card than the clone.

  ‘…It’s still absurd.’

  The clone might show new fusion skills in the future. Grid clicked his tongue and fired the remaining Linked Kill. But the clone responded in an unexpected manner. He didn’t avoid and responded with Revolve?

  Jjejejeok!

  ‘Now!’

  Grid smiled with satisfaction and counterattacked.

  “Revolve.”

  Jjeejeeeong!

  Revolve was countered with Revolve. This was the ideal result! Grid cheered as the energy of Linked Kill became incomparable to before. It was immensely powerful. Grid was confident this would defeat the clone in one shot.

  At that moment.

  “Pagma’s Swordsmanship, Revolve.”

  A new Grid appeared behind the clone and used Revolve? It was Doppelganger Randy.

  ‘It also cloned the pet!’

  A notification window popped up in front of Grid.

  [You have suffered fatal damage!]

  [A legend doesn’t die easily. You can resist all attacks for 5 seconds with a minimum of health.]

  Grid realized.

  ‘I lost.’

  He couldn’t win like this. A dark smile appeared on Grid’s face. Was it an insane smile? No, he was smiling with joy.

  ‘I have to do it again.’

  Until the advent of the National Competition, he would absorb everything and grow.

  Chapter 386

  Chapter 386

  ‘I lost.’

  Grid realized he was defeated, but he didn’t get frustrated. He was burning with motivation.

  ‘This isn’t the only chance. I must go beyond you (me).’

  The clone had 100% of his stats, skills, and items. The clone was now kindly telling him.

  ‘You can be as capable of me. So exert yourself.’

  Kwack!

  Grid strengthened his grip on his greatsword. The duration of his immortality was 5 seconds. In the meantime, Grid was trying to combine Linked Kill Wave or Pinnacle Kill. He didn’t worry about winning, losing, or dying right now.

  “Pagma’s Swordsmanship, Link.”

  Cheook!

  Grid started a light and cheerful dance like a butterfly. His black eyes shone more sharply than usual, resembling that of a bird of prey. Grid’s appearance was gradually developing along with his solid heart and mature brain. His appearance and expression that were full of passion didn’t look bad.

  Teong!

  Grid lightly circled around and narrowed the distance to the clone. At this time, Grid’s Greatsword moved horizontally in the movements of Kill. It was the precursor for Linked Kill. Grid tried to link Wave to it.

  However.

  [The cooldown time of Linked Kill hasn’t returned.]

  [The casting of Linked Kill is cancelled.]

  Of course it was like this. Combining Linked Kill and Wave was an incomprehensible realm for Grid.

  ‘Why is my clone capable of it?’

  Grid was confused, but didn’t stop his actions. He used Pinnacle and Kill. He wanted to try to acquire Pinnacle Kill. But once again, the combination of Pinnacle Kill didn’t work. Pinnacle was activated before Kill was completed.

  Seokeok!

  The power might be less than that of Kill, but Pinnacle fell and deeply cut the heart of the clone. However, it wasn’t enough damage to threaten the clone whose health had recovered thanks to Doran’s Ring and the Holy Light Armor.

  Grid was wishing for one thing in this situation.

  ‘Come on, counterattack.’

  Honestly, he wanted to avoid losing. The first problem was that he could lose his experience and items, and the second problem was his pride. That’s right. Grid didn’t give up despite sensing defeat.

  The moment the clone’s counterattack reached him, he wore Doran’s Ring in order to recover his health and hope for a reversal. But the clone was Grid. No, he knew Grid better than Grid did himself. The clone acted with the knowledge that it would be pointless and dangerous to attack the invincible Grid.

  Suuk.

  ‘You bastard!’

  Rather than fighting back, the clone ran away, causing Grid to frown. He ran all over the battlefield, causing irritation to rise. Right before the immortal duration ended…

  Snap!

  [15,000 health has been restored.]

  Grid took the super health recovery potion taken from Reidan’s alchemy facility.

  Chaaeng! Chaeng!

  The clone calmly devoted himself to defense. He fully understood and blocked Grid’s sword with Iyarugt. Then he started counterattacking as soon as Grid’s immortal state was over. Of course, he didn’t forget to use a powerful one shot technique that would keep Grid from relying on Doran’s Ring.

  It was Kill. Blackening, Blacksmith’s Rage, and Quick Movements. Since Grid used it one step ahead of the other, the effects ran out for Grid first. Therefore, he couldn’t avoid the clone’s Kill.

  [Doran’s Ring has been equipped.]

  [You have suffered fatal damage!]

  [You have died because health has dropped to 0.]

  [You have lost 30.6% experience.]

  [Mission failed!]

  [Exiting the 41st island.]

  [Moving to the last save point, the 40th island.]

  A black screen that hadn’t been seen for a long time. Grid’s vision turned black.

  ***

  “Are you okay?”

  The 41st island. The moment that Grid came here after dying, he saw Sticks’ distressed face. He was worried that Grid would suffer a mental blow, since this was his first defeat since entering the Behen Archipelago. But Grid was fine.

  “Don’t worry.”

  Grid smiled at the worried Sticks and though positively.

  ‘I’m glad I didn’t lose any items.’

  Of course, it was painful to lose a lot of experience. His current experience gauge was 2%. If he challenged the 41st island and failed again, he couldn’t avoid losing a level. But Grid didn’t shrink back.

  ‘This is an opportunity.’

  He might fail a few more times, but if he overcame this trial, he would surely grow. Grid was confident and grateful for this situation.

  ‘I have to overcome this trial.’

  Effort was needed.

  ‘I need to wait until the cooldown of Randy and the immortality passive returns.’

  The next 24 hours. In the meantime, Grid concentrated on studying Linked Kill Wave and Pinnacle Kill.

  ‘The order of the skills isn’t wrong.’

  The wrong element was somewhere else. Finding it was the key.

  “Sigh.”

  Grid took deep breaths and sat down to meditate. He tried to follow Regas’ usual practices.

  ‘Think about it.’

  The clone’s Linked Kill Wave and Pinnacle Kill were different from when he used it. Grid recalled the previous battle and concentrated on analyzing it. He tried to get a clear picture of each and every one of the clone’s actions.

  ***

  “Meditation is the act of transcending from the pain of the mind and returning to a pure state of mind, without any distortions. It is the best way to look at yourself, or to look at specific situations and find a solution.”

  The desert city of Reidan.

  Piaro returned to the city after working all day in the fields, and was giving a lecture to Lord.

  “Meditation can also be used as a means to increase strength and stamina, and to reduce the cooldown of your skills. But humans are always self-centered. Meditation is a very challenging method of training that even the most famous knights find difficult
. So young Lord, you don’t need to practice it right away. It is sufficient to know the concept… Heok?”

  Piaro made a sound of surprise.

  Lord Steim. The genius that Grid and Irene gave birth to quietly closed his eyes and started to maintain a constant breathing.

  ‘A perfect state of selflessness!’

  Lord’s mana flowed around him as he breathed. It proved that Lord was affecting nature, so it was natural for Piaro to be astonished.

  ‘I was only able to acquire Natural State after becoming a legend.’

  Of course, Lord wasn’t perfect yet. But just awakening the basic concepts was a tremendous achievement. It was because some of the world’s most powerful and tenacious minds couldn’t enter this natural state.

  ‘This is…’

  What was Lord going to grow up into? Maybe he would be the only one who could transcend Muller, one of the greatest legends in history.

  ‘He will grow more and more in the future.’

  It would surely give Piaro a new enlightenment. Piaro’s heart burned hot.

  ***

  [The skill ‘Meditation’ has been acquired!]

  [Meditation]

  Increases health and mana regeneration rate by 50%, and stamina regeneration by 30%.

  Skill cooldown time will be reduced by 10%.

  Resource Consumption: None.

  Skill Activation Condition: Focus.

  * This isn’t a skill that can be artificially invoked. It will activate automatically when your concentration is extremely high.

  In Satisfy, there were several skills that could be learned naturally when certain conditions were met. One of them was Meditation.

  ‘Good.’

  Despite the fact that Grid gained a way to increase his stamina recovery rate and reduce skill cooldown time, he didn’t make a fuss. He kept calm. He was too busy focusing.

  ‘Think about it.’

  Grid quickly erased any thoughts about the Meditation skill and recalled the movements of the clone. Was there any difference in the actions that the clone took with Link? No. He was certain. If so, was there something different about the actions of Kill? There was also nothing. He was certain. What about the behavior of the clone when using Wave or Pinnacle?

  ‘It is me.’

  Then why was it only possible for the clone to use Linked Kill Wave and Pinnacle Kill?

  “…Ah!”

  Grid had been thinking for over five hours when he finally got a flash.