by Park Saenal
“Luck is following us. We will be able to grow tremendously during this expedition.”
All the party members were excited. All of them were hopeful for the future. Except for Grid!
‘…I’m anxious.’
Grid was gripped by an anxiety that couldn’t be expressed in words. The reason? He was too lucky. The elixirs that he never found dropped in succession in two cities? Unfortunately, Grid was fortunate enough to experience it.
‘It’s unusual… In the 9th city, three true blood vampires appeared at the same time.’
Originally, it often happened. Looking back at the city that Tiramet guarded, the direct descendant Tiramet and several true blood vampires appeared at the same time. Yes, Grid’s anxiety didn’t have a clear basis. But Grid’s emotions didn’t dissipate.
‘What if Marie Rose appears in a city other than the 2nd city…?’
No, he wanted to believe that wouldn’t happen. Grid trusted Braham.
‘…Or will several direct descendants appear at the same time?’
Was it because he experienced so much misfortune? Grid was getting better and better at anticipating it.
Chill!
As Grid got goosebumps, the morale of the party members rose into the sky.
“Next is the 7th city! Number 7 is lucky in South Korea! Haha! As the chairman of the South Korea Patriotic Society, I will confidently say that two elixirs will drop in the next city! Puhahat!”
“Ohh! You’re feeling good? Okay, let’s move onto the next city!”
“…”
Don’t be too excited. Grid wanted to say this, but he couldn’t open his mouth. He didn’t want to lower the atmosphere for no reason.
‘It’s sad that I haven’t played around with friends… There’s no need to unnecessarily worry them.’
He could worry about it alone.
Shake shake.
Grid shook his head and headed to the next city with his colleagues.
***
As it became two months to the National Competition, the attention and expectations of the world focused on it. What countries would be active this year and what types of scenes would be produced.
『 Once the new rules are applied, it’s clear that the United States will win an overwhelming number of gold medals. It can’t be denied. The United States will be number one. 』
『 There are so many players from the United States… Zibal’s whereabouts are still unknown, but won’t Kraugel fill his empty seat? 』
『 Yes, it’s the most noticeable part of this National Competition. Kraugel’s nationality changed from Russia to the United States. 』
『 In interviews with the Russian people, it seems that Kraugel had suffered considerable racial discrimination in Russia. It’s understandable that he moved countries. But why the United States instead of South Korea? Considering his Korean background, shouldn’t he move to South Korea? 』
『 There’s a lot of speculation about this part. Among them, the most likely speculation is… 』
Kraugel was dreaming of a rematch with Grid. He deliberately avoided South Korea with the aim of fighting Grid.
…Many people guessed this. However, the credibility was low because it wasn’t what Kraugel himself said.
-There are rumors that it is because of his mother’s illness. It seems that the United States promised to fix his mother’s illness. Well, it might be tricky.
-It’s much more realistic than the speculation that he is conscious of Grid and avoided going to South Korea. Didn’t Kraugel already win against Grid last year? Does he need to be conscious of Grid?
-Right. Kraugel doesn’t seem to care about Grid.
The confrontation between Kraugel and Grid was so gorgeous and fierce that it was always in the top 3 best scenes of the National Competition. Regardless of nationality, countless people watched the video of the confrontation between the two. Again and again, repeatedly again and again.
There were many people expecting the reunion between the two and the S.A. Group recognized this fact. It was enough to insert the confrontation scene of the two people from last year into the opening video of the 3rd National Competition.
But people knew the reality. This year, there wouldn’t be a great showdown in the National Competition. It was clear. Last year, Kraugel was praised as the sky above the sky, but he was still a normal class. Nevertheless, he beat Grid, who had a legendary class.
What about Kraugel of this year? A legend. He was also a Sword Saint, the strongest among the former legends. It was clear that this year’s Kraugel would be several times stronger than last year’s Kraugel and Grid wouldn’t be able to endure it. If there was a rematch between the two of them, it would be a one-sided fight.
-It isn’t that Grid is weak. It’s rare to find someone stronger than him.
-Who doesn’t know this?
-Just.
-Kraugel is too strong.
-He’s the sky above the sky!
-Kraugel is special among the special people. The most outstanding of all.
-It doesn’t make sense that he would avoid South Korea because he’s aware of someone he defeated.
-The issue this year isn’t the confrontation between Grid and Kraugel. It’s which country will take second place in the overall medals rank.
-Right. The United States will certainly be number one.
After the United States, Canada and China were emerging as Satisfy superpowers due to their population. Which country would take second place? Attention was focused on this. South Korea wasn’t even mentioned and the interest in Grid was very faint compared to last year.
There was a person who was stimulated by this.
“…South Korea isn’t a country that could be ignored.”
The protagonist was Dungeon Maker Eat Spicy Jokbal. Recently, he’d been going through many internal changes while drinking with Peak Sword. He contacted the three friends who he set up Blood Carnival with.
***
[You have entered the 7th vampire city.]
“It’s the same everywhere.”
The vampire cities all had one thing in common. It was dark without any light. 10 minutes after entering, they couldn’t see anything. And this was a tremendous risk.
Kkiiiiiiii!
Kwaaaaah!
It was before the party members’ eyes had adapted to the darkness. The wild beasts hanging around the city came to them. The vampires’ familiars. This timing was one of the most dangerous moments. Most of the first time visitors to the vampire cities were unable to resist the familiars and died.
On the other hand, the Overgeared members had a lot of experience. They had already attacked the vampire cities several times and were aware that they would be attacked by the familiars, so they could cope with it. Even if they couldn’t see in front of them, they could estimate the enemy’s path and use a skill.
Yes, the familiars at the entrance of the city couldn’t threaten the Overgeared members. This was normal. But the 7th city was strange.
“Kuk…!”
“Why are they so strong?”
“Shit! Don’t relax and be alert!”
From the thick darkness, numerous familiars came from all directions. They were different from the other familiars. Their level was well over 50 and there were many of them. The Overgeared members became aware that they weren’t ordinary familiars.
Kwang!
Kwarururung!
“Ugh! Take your formations!”
“Stay close until you adjust to the darkness! Be careful not to attack a teammate!”
It was a crisis! The Overgeared members were passive in front of the familiars’ onslaught.
“Ahaha! Finally it is our turn!”
It was Toban and Vantner, who didn’t have anything to do in the 9th and 8th cities.
“Sun Guard!”
Flash!
Splendid light poured from Toban and Vantner’s shields. It was a bright light that caused catastrop
hic damage to the familiars who had adapted to the darkness for tens and hundreds of years.
Yelp! Yipppp!
Grrrrr!
The wolf and bat familiars became blinded. They completely lost sight from the two shields and Vantner’s brightly shining head. The Overgeared members started the onslaught and barely overcame the crisis. But the real crisis was just beginning.
“Hrmm… I guess they aren’t the ones who killed Elfin Stone if they’re having trouble with the familiars.
“They’re trivial. Let’s handle it quickly.”
“….!!”
The party members were astonished at the voices that came from the sky.
[Earl Cray]
[Earl Yetima]
[Earl Ruson]
[Earl Noll]
The best monsters with gold names shining brilliantly…
Four Elfin Stone level vampires gathered and were looking down at them!
“XX…”
Why was it always him? Grid could only curse.
Chapter 717
Chapter 717
Flash!
The remnants of light flashing off Vantner’s bald head was still dazzling. Due to this, he felt eyes focused on him from four directions.
“Hahaha… The helmet designs these days…”
“…”
There was an awkward silence. Pon, who would’ve normally laughed at Vantner, could only gulp. The appearance of the four direct descendants was still shocking.
“…Seven is a lucky number?”
“…”
Peak Sword couldn’t react to someone’s comment. Four direct descendants in one city. The four earl-class vampires appeared at the same time? It was the worst case scenario that no one expected. How could Peak Sword imagine it?
“How did this happen…?”
Lauel’s eyes were shaken. According to the results of his research, the direct vampires were strongly affected by the Curse of Idleness. They didn’t leave their cities and slept in the coffins for tens or hundreds of years. It was against the setting for them to leave their cities and gather in a certain area.
‘The four of them are all city owners?’
Lauel started to get a headache. He was stressed because the plan changed with unexpected variables.
“I’m sor…ry.”
Lauel opened his trembling lips and apologized. As the initiator of the city conquest plan, he thought he should bear all responsibility. He wanted to sacrifice himself to give his colleagues time to retreat. But in order to escape from the vampire city, they had to defeat the owner of the city. Until then, they couldn’t leave the city. Lauel’s sacrifice wouldn’t solve the problem. The party’s chances of survival were zero.
‘This is bad…!’
His carelessness weakened the power of the Overgeared Kingdom. Lauel’s face was white and stricken. Someone placed a hand on the shoulder of the guilt-stricken Lauel. It was a big and warm hand. Lauel couldn’t not know the owner of this hand.
“King Grid…”
Lauel turned his gaze and met Grid’s cool eyes.
“Use your brain if you have time to apologize. Isn’t this the time to be calm? Try it. Regain your spirit.”
“…”
Yes, Lauel was aware of his weakness from a long time ago. If things flowed differently from his thoughts, he lost his composure and the ability to deal with it. This was a fatal weakness for a strategist. A strategist should be able to cope with any variable calmly and do their best.
“Don’t look like it’s over.”
Four earl class direct descendants? There was no possibility of fighting and winning. But he didn’t have the slightest intention of being helpless. This was Grid.
“Think while we buy some time. That’s the best thing we can do right now.”
The morale of his colleagues had fallen to the bottom. Regas, who desired fighting against the strong, and Katz, who had a strong spirit, were fine. But not all members of Overgeared were the same. In particular, Ruby was terrified.
‘I promised to be a dependable person.’
A leader had responsibilities. Especially in a tricky situation!
Teong!
Grid looked up and flew into the sky. He would confront the four direct descendants alone.
“Grid…!”
This was the end. They would all die. Some Overgeared members were frustrated and desperate at the thought of losing experience and items. They belatedly noticed Grid soaring into the sky. Black demonic energy covered Grid’s body as he reached the four direct descendants.
“Blackening. Quick Movements.”
[Your black magic power has increased.]
[You don’t have any black magic power. It will be replaced with demonic power.]
[While Blackening is activated, your species will change to half-demon.]
[As a half demon, your maximum health is reduced by 50%. Your attack power, magic power and agility will increased by 30% each.]
[All attacks will be converted to the dark attribute.]
[Your evasion rate is increased by 30% and your agility doubled for 1 minute.]
Grid would directly confront the four direct descendants alone! He put a lot of effort into survival. He was determined to grasp the power of the direct descendants and show the way to his colleagues.
Pit!
Pipipipipit!
“Hoh.”
The eyes of the four direct descendants, looking down at the humans with no inspiration, widened slightly. They thought a trivial human was coming to commit suicide but he was as agile as a flying squirrel.
“Interesting.”
Pit!
Pipipipipit!
A storm of dark energy blades poured out! Blood started to appear on the skin of the four direct descendants. They weren’t able to avoid the attack of Grid who had reached the highest speed.
‘Not even fighting back or defending? Okay, there isn’t completely no answer.’
Grid slightly grasped the agility of the direct descendants and performed a sword dance. This time he intended to measure their defense.
“Link!”
Chukak.
Chukakakakak!
The 20 strikes per second, which was more powerful than normal, cut at the body of Earl Cray. The God Hands firmly guarded Grid against the counterattacks of other earls and Grid identified the notification windows that came into view.
[You have dealt 16,900 damage to the target!]
[You have dealt 18,780 damage to the target!]
[You have dealt 20,600…]
…
…
‘Not bad!’
The defense wasn’t at a very good level. It was slightly less than the defense of Third Knight Lorex. Grid had hope.
‘If we all join forces, we can hunt two of them.’
In the end, it was okay to fail in attacking the city. If they took out two out of four, they would unconditionally succeed in attacking the city in the next challenge. The moment Grid thought this.
“Ohu, that’s right. That ring shows that you’re the human who sealed Elfin Stone.” Earl Cray smiled at Grid after being hit. His gaze was focused on Elfin Stone’s Ring. “Looking at this, Elfin Stone must be pathetic. Well, unlike me, he wasn’t a candidate to be a marquis.”
Paaaat!
“…?”
Time stopped? Grid fell into an illusion for a moment. The blood that flowed from Earl Cray’s wounds rejected the laws of gravity. The drops of blood floated in the air.
“What are you doing?”
“…!”
Time hadn’t stopped. Grid heard Earl Cray’s voice and tried to swing the sword again, but it was already too late.
Ku kwa kwa kwa kwa! Ku kwa kwa kwa kwa!
The large amount of blood shed by Earl Cray. The massive amount of blood gathered in the air and shot towards Grid.
Peeeeeong!
“Kuk…!”
Grid’s face distorted with pain and shock once he was struc
k by the blood.
[You have suffered 19,500 damage.]
[All of your lost health is absorbed by the target.]
A powerful blood-sucking ability! Earl Cray’s bloody attack didn’t stop at massive damage to Grid. 100% of the damage done to Grid was restored as Earl Cray’s health.
‘Shit, this is a direct…!’
Earl Cray wasn’t an intimidating opponent because his physical ability was relatively normal. Just as Elfin Stone specialized in swordsmanship and magic, and Tiramet specialized in physical abilities, Cray specialized in the ability to absorb blood. He wasn’t an easily dismissed opponent. As Grid was hit in the chest and started to fall to the ground, Cray’s hand grasped Grid’s face.
Next.
“Blood Tornado.”
Puhahahak!
Pillars of blood uncoiled around Earl Cray’s body like living serpents. They started to swirl in response to Earl Cray’s order. Grid’s body started to be torn apart.
[You have suffered 17,500 damage.]
[You have suffered 15,900 damage.]
[A great king puts his safety first. Due to the First King title effect, a shield with all the health lost in the last minute will be created.]
[All terrain adaptability has increased by 100% while movement speed and defense has increased by 10%.]
“Um…?”
The pillars of blood wouldn’t stop until the target was completely dead. Earl Cray, who was convinced that the man trapped inside would soon die, was amazed. It was due to the strong shield created around the human’s body.
Kukwak!
Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!
The human body, which should’ve been torn easily in the bloody storm, suddenly started to resist the storm. This was because Grid swapped from Triple Layers to the Holy Light Armor set.
“Linked Kill!”
Puk!
An energy blade shot through the storm. The terrible attack hit Earl Cray’s chest.
Puk puk puk!
Two times, three times, and four times.
“Cough!”
Earl Cray coughed up blood and hurried away from Grid.
“Hahahat! This is too interesting!”
Unlike the others who suffered from the appearance of the four direct descendants, there was one person who was happy.
“Black Lightning Ascension!”