by Park Saenal
Chaaeng! Chaeng!
Grid was busy blocking the strikes of the God Hands.
‘Strong.’
The difference in basic judgment ability and control was too great, despite the clone having the same stats and items.
Ssik!
A smile appeared on Grid’s face. He was happy. He realized that he still had room to grow.
‘I have to try and improve the control of the God Hands.’
After learning a new skill combination, now he could see the usefulness of the God Hands. Grid grinned with joy as he commanded the God Hands to capture the fake ones. At this time, the clone started to deploy Pinnacle Kill.
At this moment.
‘I must look.’
Grid’s concentration became extremely high.
Kkuok!
A stronger force was added to the God Hands holding the fakes. It was testament to the fact that Grid’s order to ‘hold’ the God Hands was more elaborate.
“Pinnacle.”
The clone’s sword moved.
“Pinnacle.”
Grid showed an extreme concentration as he followed the actions of the clone.
“Kill.”
The curved orbit of Pinnacle changed to a straight line. Grid did the same.
“Kill.”
[The new skill fusion has succeeded.]
[Your intelligence has increased by 10 due to the successful fusion of a new skill.]
[Pinnacle Kill is added to the list of Pagma’s Swordsmanship techniques.]
[Pinnacle Kill]
Performs two sword dances simultaneously.
Deals 2,000% of your attack power to a specified target.
It changes the trajectory of the sword in the middle, making it hard to deal with.
* This skill doesn’t share a cooldown with Pinnacle and Kill.
Skill Mana Cost: 2,000
Health Consumed by Skill: 4,500
Skill Cooldown Time: 5 minutes.
Puok!
Seokeok!
“Ack…!”
At the same time, blood poured from the nose and mouth of Grid and the clone. At the same time, both of them lost half their health. They quickly raised their swords and made different choices. The clone immediately used Linked Kill, while Grid summoned Noe to slow down the clone.
“The best demonic beast of hell has emerged! Nyahahat!”
Noe laughed as he appeared after a long time. But this laughter didn’t last long. It was because Noe was hit by the clone’s Linked Kill.
“Kyaak!”
Noe’s fur bristled. He got fresh air after a long time, but was surprised at instantly suffering a crisis. But who was Noe? The greatest demonic beast of hell, a memphis. He had the best speed in hell and the skill to minimize physical damage, Fluidization.
Puok!
Puk puk!
Noe barely escaped the second Linked Kill by using Fluidization. The guy with a cute mouth barely escaped! Then he opened his mouth. It was the manifestation of the worst skill, Soul Ingestion, which take away half of the highest stats of the target.
Noe swallowed up the clone.
[The effect of Soul Ingestion will increase your strength by 1,408 for the next minute.]
Power boiled up inside him. Grid paused as he was about to use Linked Kill.
‘Will the clone also be able to summon Noe?’
Now that his strength temporarily rose to 4,224, what if the clone summoned Noe and used Soul Ingestion? The clone’s strength would increase dramatically. Grid visualized the worst case scenario and couldn’t easily attacked.
“Stupid master! What nyang? Attack this guy! Nyang!”
Noe moved forward to deal a blow to the clone instead of his hesitating master. But despite the use of Fluidization, it was difficult to deal a fatal blow. Grid heard Noe’s voice and rushed forward.
“Linked Kill.”
Puok!
Puk puk puk!
“…?”
Grid was confused. The clone didn’t resist the attack and allowed it.
‘Why?’
Why didn’t the clone summon Noe? Did he read the question in Grid’s heart? Sticks admired Noe while explaining.
“A memphis is the most perfect creature after a dragon, except for their personality. Even the mysterious Behen Archipelago can’t reproduce a memphis.”
“…Wow.”
If he had known this earlier, he would’ve summoned Noe from the beginning. No, if he did that, he might not have learned Linked Kill Wave and Pinnacle Kill. Grid smiled positively and opened up the distance as much as possible.
Chapter 389
Chapter 389
The duration of immortality was 5 seconds. Grid would just receive damage if he tried to fight during that time. Grid planned to secure and maintain a safe distance from the clone until the immortality ended.
‘Once it finishes, I will immediately attack and finish off the clone.’
He would get revenge on the clone.
‘How is it? Frustrating?’
Grid smiled like a wicked person in the movies or manhwa. Suddenly, the clone sat down.
‘What?’
Grid was confused. The clone was sitting down and closing his eyes? It was an unexpected development.
‘What is he doing…? It can’t be!’
A chill went down Grid’s spine. It was because the clone’s complexion started to improve rapidly.
‘Meditation!’
That’s right. After obtaining a safe distance from Grid, the clone used Meditation to restore his health and mana.
‘He can use Meditation as he likes?’
Meditation was a skill that spontaneously occurred when concentration was extremely high. It wasn’t a skill that could be used anytime a person wanted. But the clone seemed to be the exception.
“Che!”
Grid urgently used Pagma’s Swordsmanship, Transcend.
Kwa kwang! Kwa kwa kwa kwang!
Every time Grid wielded his sword, an energy blade was fired at the clone. However, it took more than three seconds to complete this sequence. The clone had already recovered some health. In addition, the clone took a super health recovery potion and used Transcend to cancel out Grid’s energy blades.
Pepepepeng!
“Ugh!”
Grid realized that his control skills were still lacking. The clone’s energy blades had a much higher hit ratio than his.
‘Launching the energy blades while taking evasion action.’
It was an area impossible for him. Grid tried to think as calmly as possible while being full of wounds.
‘There is no need to fret. The clone has lost his immortality.’
On the other hand, Grid still had his immortality. He had more advantages. There was no need to shrink back. Grid swapped to Iyarugt and rushed forward.
Chaaeng! Chaeeeeeng!
Iyarugt was the sword that told its master the best route. It would be able to make up for Iyarugt’s lack of control skills. The battle with the clone began in earnest. However, this tense fight didn’t last long.
“Pagma’s Swordsmanship, Linked Kill.”
The clone’s Meditation skill meant that the cooldown time of the skills was shortened. The clone was able to use the skills faster than Grid, causing the situation to rapidly become disadvantageous.
Puk.
Puk puk puk!
“Kuuack!”
The God Hands tried to defend Grid, but they were obstructed by the clone’s God Hands. Grid was hit by Linked Kill and his health quickly depleted. Doran’s Ring didn’t show a big effect, so he entered the immortal state.
“You bastard!”
The agitated Grid struck the clone. He was determined to kill the clone during the five seconds of the immortality passive. However, the clone easily escaped from Grid using the Fly attached to Braham’s Boots. Grid also belatedly swapped from Grid’s Boots to Braham’s Boots, but the distance between them widened considerably.
�
��Master, believe in me! Nyang!”
Noe reached the clone and swung his paws several times. But Noe’s claws couldn’t completely neutralize the defenses of the enemies, despite being harder than steel. The Holy Light Armor set was truly excellent.
After a while, the second battle ended with Grid’s defeat.
[You have suffered fatal damage!]
[You have died because health has dropped to 0.]
[You have lost 30.6% experience.]
[Your level has dropped to 305.]
[You have lost 10 stat points.]
[Mission failed!]
[Exiting the 41st island.]
[Moving to the last save point, the 40th island.]
***
“Dammit!”
Grid’s fury when he returned to the 40th island wasn’t just because of his level drop.
‘I got Noe’s help!’
On the other hand, the clone didn’t have Noe. Even so, he lost. It was a huge shame.
“Have strength, nyang.”
Noe said while patting Grid’s shoulder. It was to comfort him. Noe had been with Grid for a long time, so his affinity towards Grid was very high.
“Wasn’t Master originally weak and useless, nyang? Don’t be frustrated by one or two losses, nyang!”
“…”
Noe used great demons as a criteria for determining strength. It was the instinct of a memphis, a beast of hell. From Noe’s position, Grid had always been weak.
“…That isn’t comforting at all.”
Grid was feeling resentment to Noe when he suddenly had a question.
“Sticks.”
“Yes, Grid.”
“Are you sure that the 41st island can’t reproduce a memphis?”
According to Sticks’ logic, a memphis was the best creature after a dragon, so the Behen Archipelago couldn’t reproduce it. There was a fault here.
“Didn’t you say something on the way to the vampire city? The Behen Archipelago can reproduce a great demon and a dragon. So why can’t it reproduce a memphis?”
“Good question.”
Sticks smiled and explained.
“The dragons and great demons reproduced by the Behen Archipelago have a common point. Their bodies aren’t complete.”
“Bodies aren’t complete?”
“Yes, all the great demons reproduced by the Behen Archipelago were those who had been sealed by Sword Saint Muller…”
The gourmet dragon reproduced during Sticks’ trial weren’t really clones. Dragons were heavy on their hips and couldn’t move directly without magic, so the gourmet dragon Reiders was just a fake.
“That’s right. Both the great demons and dragons are incomplete beings, so the Behen Archipelago could reproduce them.”
Grid had another question.
“Then the weakened great demons and dragons are less than a memphis?”
“Maybe if the memphis is an adult?”
“Adult…”
Grid stared at Noe. He was a chubby cat with wings on his forehead and small wings on his back. Now he looked cute, but what if he was an adult?
“Will he grow to be like a dragon?”
Sticks looked at Grid and laughed.
“No, there will be no big change in his appearance.”
“Um… Then I’m glad.”
Grid wanted Noe to always be cute. There were many fans in Noe’s fan club just because of his appearance.
‘One day, I will hold a fan meeting for Noe…’
He would be very happy if he could get close to the female members and build up a good relationship. Grid imagined the bright future before having to face reality.
‘Now isn’t the time to be thinking about these things.’
The clone on the 41st island was too strong. Grid could only use 50% of his own abilities, while the clone could take full advantage of it. He couldn’t find the answer to win against the clone.
‘It might be possible if my control skills grow dramatically.’
Indeed, there was no end to learning. Once he grew, he would meet stronger enemies who mocked his growth.
‘If only I had as much talent as the Overgeared members.’
It wouldn’t be necessary to undergo such frequent trials. The so-called geniuses, their growth rate was so fast that they were able to cope with new trials.
‘On the other hand, I…’
Grid received direct teachings from Piaro and grew through the advice of his guild members, but he was still lacking. It was painful and sad that he had no talent.
“…Wait.”
Let’s look back. Since when had he been so obsessed with control skills?
‘It has been since I became aware of Piaro.’
He realized that he needed control to deal with strong enemies. From that day on, he worked hard on improving his control skills. But was this really right?
‘It doesn’t matter if I try as hard as others.’
He would only be able to achieve 20%~30% of their skills. It was too inefficient. Grid’s developed thinking ability came to this conclusion.
‘I don’t need to be so obsessed with control.’
Was he dull-witted? No, he was Pagma’s Descendant.
‘I am a legendary blacksmith.’
He could create and produce all types of weapons, and use them with no restrictions.
‘Yes, let’s return to the beginning.’
The answer was the power of items. Grid’s eyes shone as he pulled out tools, including the portable furnace. Grid’s brain spun rapidly.
‘In order to clear the 41st island…’
He couldn’t just make a good item. What would happen if he made a good item? The clone could also use it, making him stronger.
‘The item I need right now.’
A gamble. In order to pass the trials that couldn’t be overcome with pure talent, Grid had to seek the help of the heavens.
‘I need to hope that my worst luck also applies to the clone.’
Grid remembered Euphemina’s Rolling Dice skill. It was a skill that could quickly change a situation, either positively or negatively, by randomly generating different effects. If this could be applied to an item…
‘Just wait, Clone.’
Victory or defeat would be determined by luck. He only needed to beat the clone once.
***
Blood Carnival.
A guild made up of unofficial rankers, its wickedness was unmatched. Hired murders, raid interference, stealing goods from merchant companies, etc. The Blood Carnival only moved for the sake of money. The number of players affected by them was unimaginable, including many top rankers.
“There’s a new request.”
Blood Carnival’s master. A secret existence whose identity was unknown, they smiled from behind a veil.
“It’s to defeat Kraugel in the National Competition. At the time, the person fulfilling the request must have the logo of a particular company stamped on their item.”
“It’s a top grade request.”
“It seems to be a means for corporate advertising. Won’t the price be huge?”
Kraugel had the myth of being undefeated. What if the world was watching when he was defeated? The international media would focus on the person who defeated Kraugel, and the company associated with the person would receive an astronomical advertising effect.
“What event?”
“It’s good if Kraugel loses in any event. However, the pay will be three times higher if Kraugel is knocked down in the PvP event.”
“Then of course it has to be PvP.”
“But is anyone participating in the National Competition?”
“I am.”
One of the strongest players in the Blood Carnival stepped forward. His face was full of confidence.
Chapter 390
Chapter 390
Who was the hero of the informal rankers? If they heard such a question, ordinary people would say Grid. Grid’s accomplishments were great.
But there was a law that existed in every world. There were those hiding in the darkness of Satisfy who were stronger than Grid. Tarma was one of them.
Tarma. A player who had been acting as PKer since his early days in Satisfy. A notorious dark gamer, he had a very brilliant career. The most outstanding achievement…
“The 2nd ranked Zibal lost his life to me.”
It was true. Tarma’s PK skills were unmatched. In the first place, he had a hidden class specializing in PKing. The reigning Kraugel would lose his life to Tarma.
“Hoh, Tarma should be able to do it.”
“If Tarma plays in PvP, he will be able to move onto the finals.”
The top rankers and Overgeared members that Tarma would meet in PvP? None of them could win in a one-on-one fight against Tarma. The executives of Blood Carnival felt reassured. Tarma was that excellent.
“Well, it’s doubtful that you will win against Kraugel just because you reach the finals.”
“Kraugel is special.”
“He’s a monster beyond the level of a genius. There’s no one except Agnus and the twins in our guild who can fight one-on-one with Kraugel and definitely win.”
“Shut up, you dog scum.”
Tarma cursed at his colleagues. He spoke confidently to the master hidden by a veil.
“Tell this to the client. I, Tarma, will surely defeat Kraugel. Oh, and ask them to give me an allowance for every celebrity I defeat in PvP.”
“I understand.”
The master of the Blood Carnival smiled from behind his veil. They trusted Tarma’s skills.
***
[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: 13/21.]
* When items are produced using this skill, the name of the creator is automatically placed on the item.
“Legendary Blacksmith’s Creation Skill.”
The moment Grid used the skill.
Ttiring.
There was a loud sound effect and the notification window appeared.
[What item do you want to create?]
‘Hrmm.’
Grid didn’t want a powerful weapon. Grid wanted a weapon that purely relied on luck. He judged that it was the only method to deal with the clone.