Overgeared

by Park Saenal

  Indeed. He had barely closed his eyes for 10 minutes when a call came. As a pet marathon participant, he was invited to attend the press conference.

  “There are no breaks.”

  “Time is limited, so it can’t be helped…”

  This was why other players refrained from participating in two events a day.

  ‘Will Grid’s concentration and stamina last?’

  Peak Sword couldn’t hide his worries as he asked.

  “You must be tired from hammering for eight hours. How about you take a break while I go to the press conference?”

  “I don’t know about Huroi, but making you my spokesperson…”

  Grid was worried it would be a repeat of ‘Do you know?’

  ‘Still, I would rather it be Peak Sword than Huroi.’

  Grid imagined Huroi cursing at the reporters, shook his head and got up.

  “I’ll go.”

  ***

  “Hoh… Grid said something like that?”

  One of the audience seats in front of the pet marathon. Lauel heard the story about how Katz came to him and felt amazement. He realized that Grid was learning how to deal with people.

  ‘Taking advantage of Katz’ position to send him to me… He really is growing in many ways.’

  Originally, Grid was a slow learning person. He experienced the same conditions as others, but was always behind. However, that changed the moment he visited the Behen Archipelago. His growth rate had accelerated.

  “Kukukuk, this is interesting.”

  Katz’ hands and feet shrivelled due to Lauel’s unique laugh.

  ‘Katz…’

  Considering his power, financial strength, and position in Japan, Katz was an S-class person. He had many available things. The disadvantage was his personality, but most members of Overgeared were already strange, so it wasn’t a problem.

  ‘It’s better to obtain him.’

  Lauel decided and asked Katz.

  “I know you have the power to join guilds, so why haven’t you?”

  “I don’t like being interfered with. I dislike rules.”

  “Wow, you. You would’ve fainted if you were born a South Korean. You would’ve had to go to the army.”

  “…I would’ve gotten out of it. No, why are you suddenly asking this?”

  “Join the Overgeared Guild.”

  “You want me in Overgeared?”

  Katz’ face distorted.

  “I don’t want to.”

  Katz refused without thinking about it. However, Lauel expected this and just laughed.

  “You don’t have to if you don’t want to. You will never be able to obtain Grid’s items.”

  “…”

  Katz’s eyes shook. He really coveted Grid’s items.

  ‘Well, it’s natural.’

  Katz was aiming for the top. He already declared two years ago that he would reach first in the rankings. However, he wasn’t able to achieve his goal because of his lacking abilities and items.

  ‘Anyway, there’s nothing to lose.’

  Lauel was overflowing with confidence. He made a wicked grin reminiscent of Grid and made the offer again to Katz.

  “Join Overgeared.”

  He swallowed down the words, ‘become Grid’s slave.’

  “However, if you want to join Overgeared, you have to beat Grid in PvP.”

  “Beat Grid?”

  “Yes, you’re able to defeat him. Your fighting style is a good match against Grid… How about it? If I tell you how to beat Grid, why don’t you try it once?”

  “…”

  Wasn’t Lauel the closest person to Grid? Why did he want Grid to be eliminated? Katz didn’t question it. He grew up watching friendship be snuffed out like a candle in front of greed. Now Katz only felt one thing.

  Anger!

  “You will teach me how to win against Grid? Stop talking nonsense! I can beat Grid with my own power, even if you don’t tell me!”

  Katz’s character had changed a lot compared to when he just became a Blood Warrior. He realized that everything in the world wasn’t solved by money and there were a limit to his talent. From that time, he gave up on his arrogance. In other words, his declaration that he could beat Grid was a judgment based on reasonable grounds.

  “Okay, I will beat Grid. In addition, I don’t care how you use me. I will do anything if it means getting Grid’s items. However, if you use me and then hit me in the back of the head, be prepared. I will put my whole power into killing you in the game.”

  “Huhuhut… Our agreement has been established.”

  “…”

  Goose bumps formed on Katz’ skin.

  ***

  There were 53 people participating in the pet marathon. An average of 1.5 people from each country participated. They sat facing hundreds of reporters.

  “Grid has hell’s best demonic beast, a memphis. In last year’s National Competition, the memphis showed its dominance by beating dozens of wyverns alone.”

  “It is the opinion of many people that the winner of the pet marathon this year will be Grid. What do you think about this?”

  Did the other players have the power to fight against Grid? Most people around the world were curious about this part. The players answered easily.

  “There is nothing perfect in Satisfy.”

  “We have already grasped Noe’s weakness and figured out a strategy.”

  “Noe won’t win a gold medal for Grid!”

  “…Isn’t this tiring?”

  Grid looked tired as he watched the players shouting with confidence.

  ‘Isn’t the repertoire of every event the same?’

  Before the start of the game, it was a pattern of confidence and then eventual defeat.

  ***

  The pet marathon started 30 minutes after the press conference.

  “Nyang!”

  Noe appeared at Grid’s side. He had been eating well over the past year, meaning his black fur was shiny and his tongue was a vivid pink. The soles of his feet were softer.

  “The best demonic beast of hell has emerged! Nyang!”

  Noe shouted as his stomach protruded! The ㅅ shaped mouth opened with a complacent expression, making people realize.

  “Fearsome guy… The level of cuteness has increased so much that his level must’ve risen tremendously!”

  “He will be a tough opponent.”

  The other players who summoned wyverns couldn’t help admiring Noe’s strength. But they still didn’t lose confidence. It was because in the last year, they gained a lot of information and fully understood the memphis’ weakness.

  Previous Chapter

  Next Chapter

  rainbowturtle’s Thoughts

  (11/20)

  Translator: Rainbow Turtle

  Editor: Jay

  OG: Glossary Link.

  Current schedule: 20 chapters a week.

  Patreon Link

  Check out my Patreon for early access to a certain number of unedited chapters and well as achieve the goals for extra chapters. The early access chapters will be updated after I finish releasing all chapters for the day.

  Chapter 444

  Chapter 444

  Of the 53 players who participated in the pet marathon, 52 of them (except for Grid) were pet specialists. Since their classes were in the monster tamer series, their understanding of pets and their ability to collect information was unmatched. It was no wonder that they studied the memphis and came up with a strategy against it.

  ‘Even if it’s called the best demonic beast of hell…’

  ‘In the end, a memphis is just a cat monster.’

  ‘A cat monster has many weaknesses!’

  They made confident expressions and started summoning more pets after the wyverns. Surprisingly, the pets they summoned weren’t strong like wyverns. Rather, they were insect-like monsters such as giant glow worms, gold cockroaches, and light butterflies. They had weak combat ability and low intelligence, s
o they generally weren’t used.

  “What?”

  “Aren’t they going to try their best?”

  In order to win the pet marathon, the pet’s combat ability, agility, and endurance were the key. They had to reach the destination first while keeping other pets in check. Then why did they summon weak insect type monsters? The viewers were confused by the unexpected situation.

  On the other hand, the experts immediately understood the players’ intentions.

  『 The players are well aware of the weaknesses of cat monsters. 』

  『 For viewers who are unfamiliar with it, there is one thing that the summoned pets have in common. They produce light by themselves. 』

  『 And cats are creatures sensitive to light. In particular, they have the habit of chasing light when they see it moving. 』

  『 In that sense, the giant glow worms, gold cockroaches, and light butterflies will act as counters to the memphis. 』

  Giant glow worms, gold cockroaches, and light butterflies. These three monsters had the ability to emit their own light. The worm-like 2 meter long giant glow worm emitted a gentle light from its tail, the gold cockroach flashed an intense gold, while the wings of the light butterfly emitted light. They were all beautiful lights used to dazzle their target.

  Noe’s mouth twitched as he saw them.

  “Nyong. Nyong nyong.”

  His pupils became bigger. He made a strange sound and lay flat on the floor, his chubby butt up in the air. He shook his butt to the left and right as the glowing light from the monsters caught his eyes. He looked like a cat trying to hunt a mouse.

  “What are you doing?”

  Grid was perplexed by Noe’s strange behavior and urgently checked his status.

  Status: Committed

  (I must catch these shiny things! Nyang! I was born into this world to hunt them! Nyang nyang!)

  “This is…”

  The only weakness Grid knew was Noe’s tail. He had made a tail guard to thoroughly prepare for this. But he was hit by an unexpected weakness. The moment Grid made an absurd expression.

  『 Then the match will start! 』

  The referee shouted! A magic bead exploded. The explosion was the signal as the wyverns at the starting line immediately unfolded their wings. The other players approached Grid as they looked at the wyverns flying away.

  “How about it Grid?”

  “Aren’t we different from the last National Competition?”

  Last year’s National Competition was very different from this year’s. Simply put, this year was much more professional. The common denominator with last year’s participants was that they had wyverns. However, this year the participants were pet professionals. Unlike last year’s contestants, they had the ability to fight back against Noe.

  “…”

  The players comforted the silent Grid.

  “Well, you don’t have to be ashamed. We’re the best in our field.”

  “Yes Grid. Don’t bear bad feelings towards us. In the first place, you couldn’t beat us in this event. No one will criticize you.”

  “…”

  Grid was silent to the end.

  “Nyong nyong. Nyong.”

  He just quietly watched as Noe sneaked up in order to chase the lights. The players shrugged.

  “Don’t even think about resisting. Can’t you only have three pets without a skill, and you can only summon two pets at a time?”

  “On the other hand, we can summon up to five pets simultaneously. Even if you summon a wyvern-class pet, we can summon a new pet and neutralize it.”

  “Haha, you probably want to hold a sword and fight directly, but how can you? This is the pet marathon stage. You can’t move directly. Just watch silently.”

  “Five at a time…”

  Grid finally opened his mouth. Then he smiled meaningfully.

  “Isn’t it strange? If you can summon five pets, why are you only summoning two?”

  As if it was a tacit rule, none of the players summoned another pet apart from the wyvern and one to keep Noe in check. Grid looked at the players preparing to pursue the drakes that disappeared beyond the horizon.

  “If you summon several pets at a time, isn’t it harder to control? It is similar to how your control weakens when your wyvern gets further away.”

  “…”

  The players were inwardly embarrassed. It was because Grid spoke as if he had just realized something that was common sense to everyone else.

  “Well, I guess you learned that by yourself…”

  The players decided to ignore Grid and move quickly. Noe had been neutralized by now. They no longer perceived Grid as an enemy and were planning to focus on victory.

  At that moment.

  “Kyong!”

  Noe, who had ran towards the giant glow worm, screamed in pain. He was hurt due to the invisible thread spread like a fortress around the glow worm’s body. The players saw Noe and smiled with satisfaction.

  ‘That’s it. Grid is now completely contained.’

  ‘From now on, the game will truly begin!’

  The players were happy about blocking the only variable. But they didn’t know one thing. The fact that Grid had a hidden hand!

  “Come out, Randy.”

  Jeurereuk.

  Grid gave a command and black liquid poured out of Grid’s pet inventory.

  ‘Slime?’

  The players were confused by Grid’s new pet.

  “What can you do with a slime?”

  “This is too shabby for a last hurrah.”

  Grid wasn’t an expert in the field of pets. He might’ve luckily obtained a memphis through a raid or quest, but it would be very difficult to tame the new pet afterwards. Thus, he brought out this slime. The players smiled like it was cute.

  “Turn into me.”

  Grid gave a bizarre command to the black liquid. Then the liquid wriggled and did something surprising. It transformed into Grid!

  “It wasn’t a slime, but a doppelganger?”

  “I’ve never heard of a black doppelganger.”

  The players were impressed. A doppelganger could be used in many ways, but they were hard to tame because they were A-grade. It was difficult unless the person was a high quality pet trainer. Grid’s doppelganger seemed different from usual doppelgangers, so they felt wary.

  “He has talent at scaring people.”

  “He truly deserves to be called God Grid. He’s very versatile.”

  The players clapped. They were curious, but didn’t feel a large amount of tension. It was because doppelgangers didn’t have high combat skills. A doppelganger dominated into a pet had very weak abilities. It could only copy 10% of its master’s stats. It was clear that Grid’s doppelganger was a named monster, but it couldn’t copy more than 15% of his stats.

  ‘This isn’t worth watching.’

  The insect monsters they summoned could easily handle the doppelganger. Randy gave despair to the confident players.

  “Pagma’s Swordsmanship.”

  “…What?!”

  The doppelganger could copy skills? It was also a legendary rated skill? The players finally realized the seriousness of the situation and urgently tried to summon new pets.

  “Wave.”

  Kwa kwa kwa kwang!

  Waves of energy spread out, hitting the dozens of giant glow worms, gold cockroaches, and light butterflies…

  “The level of those hastily obtained as a countermeasure for Noe wouldn’t be high.”

  Grid declared as he watched the dozens of ash pillars rising towards the sky.

  “I’m sorry, but I’m going to take the gold medal.”

  Grid had been aware from a long time ago. He had to be careful of his words in order to not lost his prestige as master of Overgeared and lord of Reidan. That’s why he didn’t speak lightly. That’s right. Since the press conference at the beginning of the National Competition, Grid was already convinced that he would win the pet marathon when
he declared that ‘South Korea would win at least five gold medals.’

  “Catch them, Noe.”

  “Nyang!”

  Noe regained his spirit and energetically moved. His speed completely exceeded the speed of the wyverns as he followed their path.

  “Shit! Stop him!”

  The players summoned all their battle pets at once and tried to stop Noe. For this moment, they were allied.

  Grid spoke in a calm voice.

  “I’ll leave it to you, Randy.”

  “Believe in me.”

  Clink!

  Randy had copied Pagma’s appearance and defeated Grid 82 times. Once he reached level 240, the ‘Copy’ skill was strengthened and the strongest doppelganger slowly regained the power of the past. Now he faced the dozens of pets alone. It was enough to thrill the world.

  Grid’s legend was written down.

  Previous Chapter

  Next Chapter

  rainbowturtle’s Thoughts

  (12/20)

  Translator: Rainbow Turtle

  Editor: Jay

  OG: Glossary Link.

  Current schedule: 20 chapters a week.

  Patreon Link

  Check out my Patreon for early access to a certain number of unedited chapters and well as achieve the goals for extra chapters. The early access chapters will be updated after I finish releasing all chapters for the day.

  Chapter 445

  Chapter 445

  Randy’s original Copy skill. He could copy 30% of his master’s stats and two random skills. But now things were different. Randy evolved the moment he reached level 240, being able to copy 35% of the master’s stats and three skills! It didn’t matter if the skills were only level 1.

  ‘Won’t he be able to copy me perfectly someday?’

  Grid appreciated the possibilities of Randy’s development. It wasn’t a baseless overestimation. Grid later found out that ordinary doppelgangers couldn’t copy legendary skills. In other words, Randy was different from ordinary doppelgangers the first time he copied Pagma’s appearance.

  “Pagma’s Swordsmanship.”

  A pet was classified as a monster. The effect of the Efficient Hunting Sword inflicted additional damage on monsters, so Grid armed himself with it before calling Randy. Thanks to that, Randy was running wild.