Overgeared

by Park Saenal

  ‘I like his nature.’

  There was no candlelight. The King of the Evil Eyes was sitting on a throne in a dark place. Grid confirmed his position and was grateful for the polite manners.

  ‘He’s grateful and courteous, not disregarding me because I’m a human. Indeed, the king is different.’

  The dignity in his voice clearly showed he was different from the general evil eyes. Grid didn’t need to worry about him being a chuuni.

  “I am willing to hand over the insane dragon egg to the evil eyes. I don’t want to miss a chance to exchange with the evil eyes. I want the evil eyes to be allies with the Overgeared Kingdom.”

  Grid also responded with respect. He gave the King of the Evil Eyes as much courtesy as possible and honestly expressed his will. The King of the Evil Eyes responded in a somewhat surprised manner.

  “Allies… Humans and demonkin? Is that possible?”

  “What does the species have to do with it? If we can help each other, isn’t it better to rely on each other?”

  “It is a rational argument. But won’t your people be different? Ordinary humans will be afraid of demonkin. Will they be willing to exchange with our demonkin?”

  “Rather than being frightened… Well, my people are already fully adapted to Lauel, so it should be fine.”

  “Oh? Lauel? I don’t know what you mean.”

  “In any case, there’s no need to worry about my people.”

  “Hrmm… You are determined. It’s incredible.”

  Step. Step.

  The King of the Evil Eyes smiled and started down the stairs. He slowly approached Grid standing alone in the center of the great hall.

  ‘What…?’

  Grid confirmed the appearance in the darkness and was amazed.

  ‘Both eyes are covered?’

  In order to control their powerful eyes, all evil eyes wore something over one eye. Grid thought the king would be the same. However, the king that Grid saw was beyond imagination. A thick band was covering both of his eyes.

  ‘How can he see in front of him? Perhaps… Mind’s Eye?’

  It was seeing things with the mind. Grid couldn’t help but involuntarily gulp.

  ‘Is he similar to the Vampire Duke Marie Rose in strength?’

  After the death of the founder, Marie Rose was the reigning vampire. Grid had once met Marie Rose directly before, and she was overwhelming enough to crush the current Grid and Overgeared members into the dirt. Yes, the King of the Evil Eyes should be in the same class as her.

  ‘Is he taking the initiative to be my opponent?’

  Grid tensed up after this thought ran across his mind.

  Duk.

  “…?”

  One step, another step. The King of the Evil Eyes suddenly stumbled as he came close to Grid. Grid asked the king in an embarrassed manner, “What happened?”

  “I can’t see in front of me…”

  “???”

  Grid doubted his ears.

  “In front… You can’t see?”

  Both cheeks flushing from embarrassment, the King of the Evil Eyes nodded at Grid’s question.

  “As you can see, I have both eyes covered. It’s normal to not be seen in front of me.”

  “…”

  Why was he blindfolded when he couldn’t see or walk properly?

  ‘Is he a pervert?’

  The King of the Evil Eyes smiled bitterly like he read Grid’s mind and explained the reason.

  “It’s uncomfortable. I’m the owner of the legendary evil eyes, the owner of a cursed fate that is capable of destroying the world with my own two eyes… If I don’t seal my eyes, then I will go down in history as a slaughterer… This is the karma of my past life and the responsibility that I have to bear.”

  “…It’s the same.”

  The king wasn’t that different. An evil eye was an evil eye. Grid thought that the King of the Evil Eyes was a normal person, and thus felt a sense of betrayal. But he didn’t show any signs of dislike, as he wanted to keep the evil eyes as a friend. Grid barely managed to control his limbs as he spoke to the demon king.

  “Oh, that’s really bad. You were born too powerful and need to cover your eyes?”

  “Correct. It’s a terrible curse. I can’t even see the faces of my wife and child. My evil eye might lead them to destruction… Heh, you might not believe this, but I have never untied the band covering my eyes from the moment I was born until now.”

  ‘Eh?’

  Flash!

  Lightning struck Grid’s mind as he was reminded of something while conversing with the King of the Evil Eyes. It was an idea that he could only think about because Grid was an NPC expert. Grid coughed to hide his grin and spoke,

  “That’s too bad. Then does that mean you haven’t ever seen anyone’s face?”

  “Yes. I don’t even know what my family and people look like. I feel like I’m alone in this world; this awful loneliness is rotting my heart and soul.”

  At that moment, Grid’s mouth curved upwards into a crafty smirk. However, he didn’t dare smile at the King of the Evil Eyes. He waited before speaking as calmly as possible.

  “Why don’t you become friends with me?”

  “…What?”

  The king doubted his ears. A person that he had met for the first time today wanted to be his friend. What was even more absurd, though, was that this person was a human!

  “Are you sympathizing with me?”

  “Oh, don’t be offended. I just wanted to give you the pleasure of seeing a person and talking to them.”

  “The pleasure of seeing a person…? You! Have you been listening to my words? I’m the owner of the legendary evil eyes! A cursed being who will annihilate everything just by looking at it! I absolutely will never release this band!”

  “No, release it.”

  “You!”

  Was this person insane? It was too scandalous.

  ‘Does he think I’m bluffing?’

  An evil eye was a demonkin. They didn’t enjoy unnecessary slaughter like ordinary demonkin, but that didn’t mean they weren’t demonkin. In the end.

  “You dare to provoke me…! I am the king! Even if you’re the benefactor who secured the insane dragon egg, I can’t tolerate you ignoring me!”

  The King of the Evil Eyes untied the band around his eyes. The moment that his red left eye and white right eye were exposed.

  Kukukukukung!

  There was a turmoil in the great hall and countless notification windows appeared in front of Grid.

  [You have been captured in the sight of the cursed third evil eye!]

  [All of your actions are predicted!]

  [You have fallen into the ‘burned by hellfire’ state.]

  [You have fallen into the ‘hell freezing’ state.]

  [You have fallen into the ‘absolute fear’ state!]

  [You have resisted.]

  [Reflecting the status has failed.]

  Jjejeong! Jjeejeeeong!

  Kwang! Kwarururung!

  The King of the Evil Eyes exuded a splendid brilliance. All objects in his field of view were frozen, burned, and collapsed helplessly. The huge hall was destroyed in an instant. However.

  “…You’re fine?”

  The devastated great hall. Grid stood in front of the king without being burned or frozen. He just stared at the King of the Evil Eyes with a calm expression. The king couldn’t believe it.

  “A presence who isn’t hurt by my third evil eye…?”

  Suddenly, an old story came to mind. It was a human who wasn’t burned by Hell Gao’s hellfire. Sword Saint Muller.

  “Legend…”

  Bururu.

  The eyes that saw the world for the first time trembled. They slowed observed Grid.

  “My evil eyes… Do we look like you?”

  The king spoke in a deeply moved voice and Grid replied.

  “No, you look much nicer.”

  Words that didn’t contain a single bit of
truth! But Grid knew. These minor words could give someone great joy. Grid believed that his past self would’ve gained courage if someone had spoken warm words to him.

  “…I see.”

  Grid’s answer made the king’s eyes wet. The tears disappeared and the king covered his eyes again. Then he reached out to Grid.

  “My evil eyes will be a strong ally of the Overgeared Kingdom.”

  “Thank you. You won’t regret this choice.”

  [The Overgeared Kingdom and ‘Evil Eyes’ species have signed an alliance.]

  On this day. The powerful demonkin, still unknown to the players, became allies of the Overgeared Kingdom. The Overgeared Kingdom grew much stronger.

  Chapter 621

  Chapter 621

  The Overgeared Kingdom and the evil eyes would be mutually respectful and not hostile to each other. The Overgeared Kingdom and evil eyes would grow together through a mutual exchange. The Overgeared Kingdom would provide the evil eyes with a solid army and the evil eyes would add strength to the Overgeared Kingdom. The king of Overgeared and the king of the evil eyes should meet regularly to maintain a friendship.

  This was the alliance treaty that Grid concluded while staying in the evil eyes village.

  “I really enjoyed it.”

  The last two days. The evil eyes king was able to converse looking at someone for the first time since he was born. It was a very ordinary experience for others, but it was a new and special experience for the evil eyes king. The king thought that Grid was special. He could avoid being blind as long as he was with Grid.

  Grid pitied him and promised.

  “I will try to make artifacts that can suppress the power of the third eye. Don’t you have to see your family’s faces at least once before dying?”

  “Thank you for the words. But it will probably be tough.”

  The bigger the expectations, the bigger the disappointment. The evil eyes king didn’t mind Grid’s promise. He wasn’t expecting it to happen. However, Grid was determined to fulfill the promise. Of course, it wasn’t pure benevolence. During the conversation with the evil eyes king, Grid learned that the king had an ability to plant an evil eye in others. Grid’s goal was to maximize his affinity with the evil eyes king and acquire an evil eye.

  ‘By all means.’

  He would make a result that both of them were satisfied with. Grid pledged and said farewell to the king.

  “I will go back now. I will send the 50 protection cloaks every month as promised.”

  “I understand. Goodbye.”

  The evil eyes were proud of their absolute strength. Their existence itself was a weapon. Battle gear wasn’t necessary for them. But the evil eyes were chuuni. They wanted to have nice cloaks. Grid thought it would be better if the cloaks had defensive power. Grid was planning to make the Mass Produced Lantier’s Cloak for them.

  ‘The more battle gear I can mass produce, the better.’

  Someday, the Overgeared soldiers and people would be armed with Grid’s set and Lantier’s Cloak. This would happen in the distant future and it wasn’t a fanciful goal. It would actually come true in a few years. Grid’s inventory full of insane dragon iron would realize this astonishing reality.

  ***

  “Did you hear the rumor?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “It’s said that the Overgeared Kingdom’s quest rewards are being actively reshaped.”

  “The quests given by the kingdom are basically good right? I’m already satisfied with the quests I am performing.”

  “It’s on a different dimension from regular compensation. The level 180 or high quests will give items Grid have produced as a reward.”

  “What? Items that Grid has made?”

  “Yes, it’s even a set item. You can get one item every time you clear three quests.”

  “Wow, you can get Grid’s set items…?”

  The legendary blacksmith, Grid. Most of the two billion users dreamt about using the items he made. But the supply was too small and Grid’s items became rare items that couldn’t be bought even with money. At this point, the rumor that Grid’s items could be obtained from quest rewards started to spread.

  It was Lauel’s plan. Lauel invested money into hiring and utilizing people. He deliberately spread the news of the quest rewards reorganization across the continent. It was a public relations campaign to lure players. The effect was truly enormous.

  “Is there any reason to not go to the Overgeared Kingdom?”

  “Taxes will be cheaper when we move to the Overgeared Kingdom.”

  “I can’t miss this chance to get Grid’s set items.”

  Players from around the world made up their minds and started moving to the Overgeared Kingdom, even if it meant suffering damages. Every kingdom was in an emergency situation.

  “Loyalty to the kingdom is necessary! It’s wrong to be allowed to move around freely!”

  “Emigration shouldn’t be freely given! If you want to emigrate, you have to earn it and contribute to the kingdom!”

  The 15 kingdoms made a massive quest for players who were looking to migrate. The quest had a level of difficulty that was impossible to clear unless they had a high level or excellent specs. There was a backlash from the players. Complaints ran wild at various community sites and the S.A. customer center.

  -Does it make sense for NPCs to violate the freedom of players?

  -Isn’t the advantage of Satisfy the high degree of freedom? Players aren’t a puppet of NPCs.

  The players wanted the S.A. Group to stop the NPCs’ actions. But no actions were taken. The S.A. Group thought of Satisfy’s NPCs as ‘residents of another world’ and respected them as humans. They didn’t intervene at all. The S.A. Group only wished for Satisfy’s evolution to flow naturally.

  While the majority of players were angry at the S.A. Group, a small number of players knew that the S.A. Group’s operating policy was what made Satisfy fun. ‘The sense of immersion will decrease if the operators intervene every time something happens.’

  The S.A. Group wanted players to recognize Satisfy as more than just a game. In fact, some players already saw Satisfy as another world, rather than as just a game. This recognition was purely due to the S.A. Group’s operation policy. If the S.A. Group interfered in the flow of Satisfy, then the immersion of the users would fall sharply.

  In any case, the conclusion was that the players realized that it was impossible to receive help from the S.A. Group. They had to invest an excessive amount of time and effort to complete the quest and move to the Overgeared Kingdom, or stay in their current kingdom. Not surprisingly, a lot of people chose to stay.

  So what if they coveted the Grid set? It was impossible for ordinary people to clear the immigration quest that took more than two weeks. Many players were afraid of failing and turned away from the immigration quest.

  This had a positive effect on the Overgeared Kingdom. The players performing the immigration quest were more enthusiastic and capable than most players. That’s right: the attitude of the 15 kingdoms had the effect of filtering out talent for the Overgeared Kingdom.

  Most of the players who completed the quest and moved to the Overgeared Kingdom were above average, directly contributing to the rise in the Overgeared Kingdom’s strength.

  ***

  “Amazing.”

  What happened in the days when he was away? Grid was impressed to see the number of people after he return to Reinhardt and he checked the kingdom’s information. The number of players was close to 100,000. It was a much larger number than before.

  Lauel covered half his face with his hand and laughed.

  “This is a result of deliberately leaking out information that the quest rewards will be changed and using it as a means to promote the Overgeared Kingdom. Huhut, my genius and Your Majesty’s great power has combined to create the flow of this time… It is enough to thrill the world.” Kukukuk.”

  “Oh, really great. You’re
indeed Lauel. You have suffered a lot.”

  “…?”

  Lauel was surprised. Wasn’t Grid normally baffled and embarrassed by Lauel’s words? Then he would ask Lauel to refrain from talking like that. However, Grid was different after not seeing each other for a fortnight. He wasn’t embarrassed or confused when hearing Lauel’s words. He replied like it was no big deal. Lauel misunderstood.

  ‘His Majesty finally knows.’

  He found out that Lauel’s tone was actually cool?

  “Huhuhut…”

  Lauel was glad to be acknowledged. As Lauel smiled, unfamiliar people approached. They were people with 3D chibi type proportions. It was a cute combination of plump flesh and fierce eyes.

  ‘Are they the evil eyes?’

  The 17 evil eyes greeted Lauel.

  “Kukukuk… It’s you. It really is you.”

  “The human who shared a previous life with us.”

  “You must’ve had a lonely fate, reincarnating as a human alone. Is was really tough.”

  “But now you don’t have to worry. Our great evil eyes will be your companions.”

  “Kukukuk, after repeating a few reincarnations, we are reunited… This is the attraction of our fate. It is truly great.”

  “The stars in the night sky are shining brighter today. Shall we drink from the deep lake to toast our reunion?”

  “…Unbelievable.”

  Lauel was amazed by the words of the evil eyes and laid a hand on his heart.

  Dugun dugun!

  His heartbeat was several times faster than usual.

  ‘My previous life was true.’

  In fact, sometimes he was worried. He wondered if he was a crazy person caught in a delusion. But now it wasn’t a delusion. These people proved his past life. Sometimes he was a hero, sometimes a god, sometimes a villain. All of his past lives were true.

  “Fate…”

  “…Destiny.”

  There was strong trust and affection in the eyes of Lauel and the evil eyes as they looked at each other.

  ***

  “Summon all blacksmiths who have advanced techniques and above to Reinhardt.”

  The king’s order was transmitted throughout the Overgeared Kingdom. The lords of various places immediately searched for the blacksmiths. As a result, there were eight more advanced blacksmiths in addition to the twelve directly raised by Grid and Khan in Reidan.