Overgeared

by Park Saenal

  ‘I should seal 100,000 Army Swordsmanship.’

  Rather than losing fighting energy by using 100,000 Army Swordsmanship, Grid would rather have his damage increased while using Pagma’s Swordsmanship by keeping fighting energy at the maximum.

  ‘Of course, 100,000 Army Swordsmanship is strong, so I might rely on it sometimes.’

  Grid was very disappointed in the fighting energy consumption of 100,000 Army Swordsmanship.

  ‘No matter how strong, 50 fighting energy is too much.’

  At first, he thought it would be solved by relying on the Ring of Absurdity. But the ‘all resources consumption reduction’ of the Ring of Absurdity didn’t include fighting energy. If he wore the Ring of Absurdity and used 100,000 Army Swordsmanship, only mana consumption was reduced.

  ‘It’s because fighting energy is a special resource.’

  Grid was forced to accept it. It was because he already experienced the special stat called demonic power. The ‘all stats increase’ effect that occurred when making a certain level of item didn’t affect the special stat that was demonic power.

  ‘In the end, I need to use 100,000 Army Swordsmanship and fighting energy properly.’

  It was just like this. Grid felt the need for fighting energy.

  ‘It wouldn’t be so unfortunate if I could accumulate fighting energy with large skills.’

  Fighting energy only accumulated as a single attack. If he hit multiple targets at once with a ranged attack, fighting energy didn’t accumulate. The restriction seemed to exist because easily accumulating fighting energy was too fraudulent. Grid returned the Enlightenment Lightning Sword to his inventory. Rock Forest was empty, because once fighting energy was at the maximum, the speed at which he hunted the medusa surpassed the medusa respawn speed.

  Grid moved to the safety zone and pulled out Madra’s diary. Fighting energy accumulated and the 100,000 Army Swordsmanship skill was activated.

  ‘Now I can experience the contents of the diary.’

  The moment Grid opened the diary.

  Flash!

  Grid’s vision blurred. When he opened his eyes, Pagma was standing in front of him.

  ***

  “How trivial! How scandalous! How dare you deprive me of my burden! You deserve to die a hundred times!!”

  Resurrection as an undead just for the burden of protecting the Hall of Fame? Regardless of my intentions? It was unacceptable and unforgivable.

  “100,000 Army Massacre Sword!”

  Chukak.

  Chukakakakak!

  I aimed my sword at Pagma. It was my sword technique that defeated more than 100,000 imperial troops. But.

  “…!”

  Pagma couldn’t be cut. My body couldn’t be controlled. My body refused to cut him. I tried to swing the sword again but unlike my will, my sword avoided Pagma.

  Pagma explained with an indifferent expression.

  “I wouldn’t have revived you without a safety device. I’m your master. You can’t attack me.”

  “…”

  It was as described above. Now I was a death knight. Regardless of my will, this disgusting instinct called out for me to follow Pagma.

  “Protect this place from the invasion of the great demons. It’s your mission.”

  This was the end. Pagma left and I was left alone. It was the beginning of eternal solitude.

  ***

  “…Sigh.”

  The moment that the contents of the diary was finished, Grid wiped at his sweat. The mental pain he felt when he became Madra was very great. It led to extreme anger and confusion. He was dominated by an infinite sense of loss.

  ‘I don’t want to read any more.’

  Grid was afraid. He didn’t want to experience the loneliness that Madra felt when trapped on the island alone. But Grid eventually opened the third chapter of the diary. This diary was Madra’s favor. Grid felt an obligation to confirm things.

  ***

  The third chapter.

  I counted how many days had passed since I opened my eyes. The body of an undead couldn’t fall asleep and the concept of ‘day’ dulled.

  “…”

  A small island with nothing. I didn’t know if I felt the pain of being alone for a few days or a few years.

  I forgot myself in my solitude.

  I wish I could close my eyes.

  I wish I could stop thinking.

  I hoped to disappear.

  ***

  “Hell…”

  After being forcibly resurrected as an undead with memories of his life, Madra was alone for decades. The prison called eternity that held him was as terrible as hell. The fourth chapter, the fifth chapter, the sixth chapter. Madra only experienced solitude.

  Grid felt deep sympathy for him. He resented Pagma, despite knowing that Pagma’s actions were for the peace of the world.

  Then an event occurred in the seventh chapter. Finally a great demon appeared!

  ***

  The seventh chapter.

  “This is the last island.”

  He said he was the 10th great demon.

  “My name is Leraje. I am one of the 33 rulers who control hell.” Leraje covered half of his face with a deep hat. The red lips were a sharp contrast to the pale skin. “I’m a great ruler who combines power and strategy. The proof is that I easily made it to the 66th island. Huhut.”

  “…”

  It had truly been a long time since I have met other people. Maybe it was decades. But I wasn’t happy. I didn’t want it to be a great demon who was selfish and talked about trivial topics.

  Leraje kept talking from the moment he emerged.

  “My specialty is struggle. I have a habit of winning against anyone I compete with. The evidence is that I easily took care of all the previous legends guarding the other islands. Demon Slayer Alex who made great demons tremble? Even he couldn’t be my opponent. Huhuhut.”

  “…”

  “Hrmm… It’s unreasonable to try and talk to a death knight who doesn’t have an ego. It’s no fun. But I’m looking forward to it. Based on the sword hanging from your waist, you must be Sword Saint Muller. Didn’t you seal several great demons, including Hell Gao? I have always wanted to meet you. I will use this opportunity to prove that I am better than Hell Gao.”

  “I’m not Muller.”

  Who would dare to mistake me? As I opened my mouth, Leraje smiled.

  “Hoh, a death knight is talking? Yes, you aren’t Muller? What are you called?”

  “Madra. I was king of Lubana.”

  “Madra…? I have heard it a few times. How disappointing. I was hoping to meet Muller on the last island… The final battle will be worthless as well.”

  “…”

  My anger rose. Pagma, you resurrected me because you are afraid of this guy?

  “200,000 Army Crushing Sword.”

  “…!”

  I couldn’t find any meaning in this second life. I had no motivation and couldn’t move since I was trapped alone on the island. I stood in place and looked up at the sky. But my skills aren’t rusty. Fear filled the eyes of the arrogant Leraje.

  ***

  [At present, you can’t reproduce Madra’s swordsmanship with your abilities. You can’t read the seventh chapter of the diary to the end.]

  [In order to read the seventh chapter of the diary, you need to learn Madra’s swordsmanship.]

  [Swordsmanship Textbook: 200,000 Army Swordsmanship has been acquired.]

  [Death Knight Madra’s diary is sealed until you learn 200,000 Army Swordsmanship.]

  [Swordsmanship Textbook: 200,000 Army Swordsmanship]

  Rating: Legendary

  A textbook recording the basics of Madra’s swordsmanship. However, it records the swordsmanship used after Madra became a death knight so the contents are weak compared to the original.

  Only one swordsmanship technique, 200,000 Army Crushing Sword (Degraded) is recorded.

  Learning Conditions: Those who have be
en recognized by Madra. Level 399 or more.

  “A legend at Muller’s level.”

  It was easy to guess when he heard Braham’s evaluation. His reputation was low compared to other legends because his active area was limited to Lubana, but his skills were the best. It was certain since the 10th Great Demon reached the last island after beating Lantier, Alex, Kruger, Gis, and Povia had felt horror when he saw Madra’s swordsmanship.

  “Then… After 100,000 Army Swordsmanship, I got the textbook for 200,000 Army Swordsmanship…”

  Would he eventually learn One Million Army Swordsmanship? The excited Grid became frustrated when he confirmed the level limitation of the swordsmanship textbook.

  “Level 399. It will take many years to read this diary.”

  Unfortunately, what could he do? Sometimes there was content that continued over a long time.

  ‘Let’s return to Reinhardt first.’

  Grid placed the diary back in his inventory and rose from his spot.

  Chapter 702

  Chapter 702

  Do good work at least 50 times a month. This was the minimum condition for maintaining the Saintess class. If a Saintess didn’t do any good works, she would be deprived of her qualification and she couldn’t be a Saintess again. In other words, Ruby had been doing good deeds every day for the several years that she had been a Saintess.

  Angel with lost wings, Rebecca’s incarnation, etc. The large number of people that Ruby helped praised her with various names. Minstrels sang songs about her.

  Grid might be the most famous player, but Ruby was the most beloved player. The words about the siblings delivered to the people were manipulated by Orator Huroi’s cry. There were Overgeared members spreading it everywhere.

  “Saintess, Saintess Ruby! Please try this. The bread is well-baked today.”

  “Saintess, will you accept this bracelet? I found it at the market in Winston and I bought it because I thought it would look good on you. Please accept it.”

  “This is a coat made with the leather of wild boar. The weather is getting colder recently, so it would be nice to wear this. Don’t get a cold. I’ll be sad.”

  “Saintess!”

  “Saintess Ruby!”

  [You have received 10 quality rye bread from Reinhardt’s baker, Jackson.]

  [You have received a low grade emerald bracelet from Reinhardt’s merchant, Ale.]

  [You have received a wild boar leather coat from Reinhardt’s hunter, Revalo.]

  [Reinhardt…]

  …

  …

  This was a common sight every time Saintess Ruby appeared on the street. People who found her would come running over with gifts. Ruby originally rejected, but the persistent thanks of the people was big enough to surpass imagination. They felt frustration and sometimes depression when Ruby refused the gift, giving her no choice but to accept. As the people’s love and respect for Ruby grew, so did the amount and quality of the gifts that she received.

  The average value of Ruby’s daily gifts was now around 80 gold. 80 gold! Converted to Korean won, it was worth 100,000 won. Thanks to the good work that she did over the years, Ruby could now make 100,000 won a day just from logging in. It was why she refused pocket money from her brother a few months ago.

  Ruby joined the ranks of people making money from the game. Her surroundings started to tempt her. Why did she need to go to university when she could making money playing games like her brother? Many people were talking like this.

  But Ruby’s commitment to going to university didn’t break. She couldn’t believe in the uneasy future of Satisfy. Like all the youth of South Korea, Ruby had dedicated her elementary and middle school years to enter a good university. She didn’t want her efforts to be wasted and she wanted to see for herself the values of a good university.

  However, her goal of getting a job after graduating from university was becoming faint. She knew how desperately she was needed in the Overgeared Kingdom.

  ‘Perhaps… Once I go to university, I will have more time to concentrate on the game.’

  She didn’t dislike it. Rather, it was good. She was happy to be able to help people and above all, she wanted to contribute to her brother’s work. Even if she didn’t like the game, she would’ve concentrated on it for her brother. It was natural. Just a few years ago, Ruby was worried about money every time she bought school supplies. She grew up in a house that wasn’t economically stable, so even buying snacks on the street was a luxury. From her point of view, her recent affluent life was appreciated.

  ‘This is all thanks to Oppa.’

  A warm smile appeared on Ruby’s face as he thought of Grid. The worry that appeared every time she thought of Grid in the past had changed to relief.

  ‘Mother and Father are laughing every day. Thanks to Oppa, my family is full of happiness.’

  She felt very grateful and proud of her brother. Ruby would do anything for her brother. And Lauel knew this about her.

  “Ruby, please encourage people to visit the Hall of Fame once every three days. Tell them to pray once every three days to the stone statue of Grid.”

  It was enough to give orders to the soldiers. However, the ordinary people were different. If the kingdom forced the people to do this, they could lose public sentiment. That’s why Lauel took advantage of Ruby.

  “Please.”

  “…I understand.”

  After the Behen Archipelago was cleansed, Sticks dismantled the seals on most of the entrances to it. Now it was relatively easy to move from Reinhardt to the Behen Archipelago. But it was only ‘relatively easy.’ In particular, the Hall of Fame was located on the last island of the Behen Archipelago.

  It took at least five hours to get to the Hall of Fame from Reinhardt. It meant that the people of Reinhardt had to waste five hours every three days. Ruby had this part in mind. But she couldn’t refuse when she thought of her brother.

  ‘Instead, I will treat them better. Let’s try a bit more, Sehee.’

  The intensity of the good deeds Ruby was doing increased over time. Ruby was also in danger. But Ruby was prepared to endure it. Ruby’s red lips tightened with determination. Her eyes were lovely as she grasped both hands together tightly. Lauel couldn’t help smiling at the sight before coughing.

  “There is no need to worry about the people. This worship will be a good thing for them. Won’t their stamina go up if they regularly walk for five hours?”

  “Bah… I don’t trust you.”

  “Yes, please don’t trust me. I don’t want to be a sinner who disappoints you.”

  “…”

  Lauel was confident that his comments were perfect. He didn’t doubt that the goddess’ heart was romantic enough to be captured. But Ruby didn’t listen to Lauel’s words. Lauel was also a solo person since he was born.

  ***

  [Visit Grid’s Stone Statue]

  Difficulty: Repeated quest in the Overgeared Kingdom.

  Once every three days, go to the Hall of Fame and worship at Grid’s stone statue.

  Quest Reward: A Grid mass production item for every 20th consecutive visit.

  “…”

  It was the contents of a new quest that players of the Overgeared received. The players thought it was absurd.

  “I went to see the Hall of Fame the other day and the buff from Grid’s stone statue is garbage…”

  “It has no effect on combat classes like ours.”

  “How many classes are there…”

  “Wow, isn’t Grid really smart? He made a new quest to fulfil his own self-interest.”

  “It is more vulgar than smart.”

  “Ah, I’m angry. We have to do this quest to obtain Grid’s set.”

  “Che, whatever. It takes a few hours to get to the Hall of Fame.”

  “Administrator Rabbit says he will sell movement scrolls to the Behen Archipelago…”

  “Wow? Isn’t this a good business? The servant is like the king. They met each other
very well.”

  Grumble.

  The Overgeared players were full of complaints about the new quest. But what could they do? They had moved to the Overgeared Kingdom in the first place to get the Grid set. They couldn’t refuse the quest that would give them one of Grid’s set items every two months.

  “It’s really dirty. Once I collect all of Grid’s set, I will immediately go to the empire.”

  “I’m going to Valhalla.”

  There were many people who thought like this. For most players, the Overgeared Kingdom was just a stepping stone to another kingdom. Lauel didn’t condemn this.

  “Let’s increase the types of mass produced Grid set items.”

  The current mass produced Grid set consisted of weapons, armor, helmet, gloves, and boots. There were only five parts so it was hard to keep players for a long time.

  “Didn’t you learn the tailoring skill? Add a cloak and underwear to the set. Preferably socks as well.”

  “…I can’t.”

  The set effect of the mass produced Grid set was concluded with five parts. It was originally designed like this. If he added the cloak and underwear, there would be no set effect added. Lauel smiled wickedly at Grid.

  “Even if there is no set effect, can’t you fool them with the same name? Put the underwear and cloak as a quest reward first, so that players will slow down in collecting the Grid set.”

  “…Don’t you have a conscience?”

  “Aren’t I thinking about the players? Aren’t you the only player in the world who can produce underwear with options? Where will people go to get good underwear? They will be happy.”

  “…”

  Yes, it at least increased defense by one point. Grid was convinced and threw the pile of underwear he made at Lauel.

  “I will keep sending them every time I make new underwear.”

  “It’s a good decision, Your Majesty.”

  “…I should also make socks.”

  If Grid had a conscience, he would think that ‘I should make a good cloak.’ It wasn’t difficult to produce a quality cloak because Grid intended to mass produce Lantier’s Cloak for the evil eyes. Unfortunately, Grid had no conscience. His mind was already full of a method to make cheap socks.