Overgeared

by Park Saenal

  “…”

  “Do you know God Grid?”

  “…”

  It was unfortunate. It was impossible to get a normal interview with Peak Sword, who was fascinated by the power of Iyarugt’s Sheath and Grid’s items. He missed the chance to be reborn as a top star in the world.

  [The secret to Peak Sword’s gold medal is Grid’s items?]

  [Grid who makes the useless Peak Sword useful.]

  [(Column) If Grid took part in Breaking the Hero, could he knock down the Hero faster than Peak Sword?]

  And so on. Headlines around the world were concentrating on Grid rather than Peak Sword.

  ***

  “God Gridddd!”

  After the breaking the hero and piercing the waterfall events ended. Peak Sword wore the two gold medals that held the wishes of 50 million people and ran straight into the waiting room. He grasped both of Grid’s hands and cried out.

  “Amazing! I won a gold medal thanks to your item! You are really the best! A god!”

  “…”

  Spit spit! Spit spit spit!

  Peak Sword was so excited that he kept spitting while he talked. Grid’s face became terribly soaked.

  “No, how did you make this monster-like sheath?”

  “That…”

  [Iyarugt’s Sheath]

  Durability: 200/200

  * Iyarugt’s demonic power is supplied to Iyarugt’s Sheath. 1% demonic energy will be charged every 10 seconds.

  * Drawing Iyarugt consumes Iyarugt’s demonic energy. 1% demonic energy will be lost per second.

  * Once 20% magic power is charged, Iyarugt will enter the satisfied state. At this point, Iyarugt will easily submit to the owner and gains 20% attack power. This state is maintained for 30 seconds after the sword is drawn. The cooldown time of Draw Sword is reset.

  * Once magic power is charged to 70%, Iyarugt will enter the ‘excited’ state. At this point, Iyarugt won’t listen to the owner’s commands and will go at his own pace. This state is maintained for 70 seconds after Draw Sword. The cooldown time of Draw Sword is reset.

  * Once magic power is charged to 100%, Iyarugt will enter the ‘intoxicated’ state. At this time, Iyarugt will recognize the owner as his prey. The damage of Iyarugt’s drawn sword will increase by 500%. The user will lose 50% of its health in 4 seconds and will die within 30 seconds. In order to avoid death, the sword must be retrieved within 10 seconds and Draw Sword can’t be used for two minutes while demonic energy is declining. The moment Draw Sword is used again, death is instantaneous.

  Conditions of Use: None. However, the weapon is limited to Iyarugt.

  Grid had succeeded in securing bloodstone in the 2nd National Competition. But he couldn’t easily find a use for it. Iyarugt was already a sword and the quantity was lacking to make an armor. Then they raided Belial and secured a large number of materials. Bloodstone fell to the side. Grid had neglected the bloodstone only to make a hypothesis before the National Competition.

  Maybe the reason why Iyarugt’s soul was sealed in a bloodstone sword was because Iyarugt’s soul was compatible with bloodstone? Wouldn’t Iyarugt become stronger if a sheath was made with bloodstone? Grid was obsessed with reinforcing his items before facing Kraugel and immediately made a sheath. The result was Iyarugt’s Sheath. It was a beautiful sheath that fit the standards of Iyarugt.

  “As you can see, a powerful sheath was born. It’s strong, but the penalties are huge.”

  Iyarugt’s satisfied state had no merit for Grid, who had the Enlightenment Sword. Even with a 20% increase in attack power, Iyarugt was weak compared to the Enlightenment Sword. The same was true for the excited Iyarugt, who was uncontrollable.

  Then what about Iyarugt’s intoxicated state? As it happened, Iyarugt’s intoxicated state also wasn’t attractive to Grid. There was a 500% increase in pure attack power but it could only be used safely for three seconds. The damage wasn’t high compared to the various options of the Enlightenment Sword.

  ‘Of course, the pure attack power is higher than the Enlightenment Sword. But the Enlightenment Sword is more stable.’

  He didn’t see the value in swapping out the Enlightenment Sword just for higher damage. Of course, this was only the case when Grid used it ‘directly.’

  Grid was convinced and reached out to Peak Sword.

  “Now, shouldn’t you return the items you borrowed?”

  The story was different when the God Hands used it. The God Hands didn’t have the concept of health and could use the intoxicated Iyarugt with less penalties.

  “Y-Yes. Of course.”

  Peak Sword lay directly in the capsule.

  The synergy of Peak Sword and Iyarugt, which boasted a high attack power, was certainly fantastic. But he wasn’t entitled to use Iyarugt since he didn’t have demonic power. It was only possible to use it when Iyarugt was in the intoxicated state, which meant the damage was bigger than the gains.

  The sword was inappropriate for Peak Sword other than a one-off event like the National Competition. Peak Sword wasn’t greedy for Iyarugt at all. Just.

  “E…Excuse me, God Grid. Once I ask for minerals from this gold medal, can you make a blade and sheath set for me?”

  Peak Sword requested carefully. Grid nodded immediately.

  “Of course.”

  A byproduct of a sacred creature. Considering that the power of fire was embedded in the Red Phoenix’s Breath, there was a strong possibility that the Blue Dragon Breath contained the power of lightning. Lightning attribute items were likely to have speed increasing options.

  “Ask for the Blue Dragon’s Breath.”

  How strong would Peak Sword become? Grid trembled. He felt proud that his skills could help someone grow. And time passed…

  『 Now there’s only the last event remaining! 』

  The National Competition’s third day. Eight out of nine events ended, leaving only the closing event. PvP. The big match that the world had been looking forward to for over a year, the moment where Grid and Kraugel would reunite.

  “Kuk! Kukukuk! Finally, the moment had come!”

  Seuron of Argentina.

  “Grid and Kraugel, I can take out these trash with my power!”

  Zhang Zheng of China.

  “Grid! I will get my promised revenge this year! I will neutralize your items with the power of Erosion!”

  Tarma of the former Blood Carnival.

  And…

  “…”

  The sky above the sky.

  A total of 32 people were converging on the stage. Of course, Grid was part of them.

  South Korea: Gold (6), Silver (1), Bronze (2)

  United States: Gold (5), Silver (8), Bronze (4)

  “Grid, have strength!”

  “Please win this year!”

  “Kraugel! Be sure to win this time!”

  “The first place in the overall rankings must be the US!”

  “Grid! Grid! Grid!!”

  “Kraugel! Kraugel! Kraugel!”

  The crowd’s shouts resonated across Tokyo. Tokyo Dome was heating up. The sky above the sky and the person who nearly reached it. Which one was going to fall this year?

  In the midst of the people’s cheers and expectations.

  “During saint sword drawing.”

  Grid and Kraugel faced each other on the stage. Grid started talking.

  “I was relieved when you got the gold medal and Yura got the silver medal.”

  “…”

  “It was fortunate. You didn’t lose. My heart wouldn’t be beating this fast if you’d been defeated by someone other than me.”

  The person who broke the sky must be Grid. It was the last proof remaining before he could reach the top.

  “This year, I will surely win.”

  Kraugel briefly replied to the motivated Grid.

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  For Kraugel, Grid was a special existence. The only person who victory wasn’t guaranteed against. In t
oday’s showdown, Kraugel might be more eager than Grid.

  Chapter 763

  Chapter 763

  There was no longer a promised victory.

  The 1st National Competition, the 2nd National Competition, the battle between guilds and the successive defeats to Grid and the Overgeared members led to Bubat becoming the symbol of defeat. Numerous people who praised him now turned away from him. Sometimes other people mocked him.

  The honor he built up as the leader of the Yak Guild, one of the Seven Guilds, and as the strongest initiator, Crusher, disappeared like a sandcastle. But Bubat wasn’t shaken. He didn’t shake at all. As a tanker, he was accustomed to being hit. He had a strong mentality from taking blows well.

  “This year I will definitely do it.”

  Bubat was determined before the PvP event of this National Competition.

  “I will definitely beat Grid this year.”

  The reason he was so obsessed with Grid wasn’t because of personal grudges. It wasn’t simply payback for being defeated. He burned with a sense of challenge because he recognized Grid as a trial to be overcome. He had a desire to develop further.

  In addition.

  ‘Father, have strength!’

  ‘This year, be sure to win the gold medal!’

  He wanted to be a wonderful dad in the eyes of his two daughters, who were just beginning to grow up.

  ‘Huhut, tomorrow I can meet my cute princesses.’

  He remembered his daughters’ appearances in the video call last night and smiled. The Chinese representative, Zhang Zheng was waiting for him. Zhang Zheng lay down in the capsule at the request of the host and provoked Bubat.

  “Are all people from Turkey brainless? Or do they have no shame? Why participate in the National Competition every year when you don’t get medals? Isn’t it a waste of time for other people?”

  “Tsk tsk.”

  Zhang Zheng was still young and had less personality. Bubat clicked his tongue and lay in the capsule. He was 35 years old. It might be different two years ago, but he wasn’t easy enough to be provoked by a young man. The host was shouting.

  “Before the long awaited first match of PvP, China’s Zhang Zheng and Turkey’s Bubat are logging in! The showdown between the two players is starting now! It has started!”

  “Waaahhhhhhhh!”

  The cheers of the crowd filled Bubat’s ears as he closed his eyes in the capsule.

  Then.

  “Um.”

  Bubat opened his eyes again in the Lion’s Castle. It was the castle that had been the stage of PvP for three years already. Zhang Zheng jumped over the wall and pulled out his weapon immediately.

  “Aren’t you very solid? Are you a person?”

  Supak!

  Zhang Zheng flew forward while making insidious remarks. His hands held one of the eight strongest weapons obtained from his workforce, the Destruction Sword. It was a powerful weapon that inflicted additional damage to human type targets, had the effect of blocking healing, and dealt damage proportional to the target’s health.

  Puk!

  Puk puk puk!

  Zhang Zheng, who started appearing as a new star in China last year, had the hidden class of ‘fighter’ and was a master of combat. He could handle all weapons with Weapons Mastery and possessed high strength and agility. It was impossible for Bubat, who had invested most of his stats in stamina, to avoid Zhang Zheng’s swordsmanship. The black sword quickly shaved at Bubat’s rock-like body. But Zhang Zheng’s expression didn’t look good. It was because Bubat’s health gauge didn’t make sense.

  ‘Why does he have such high defense?’

  Bubat’s tanking power last year was already enough to surprise Grid. In the first place, the reason why he could be called the strongest initiator was because he could jump into the enemy’s base with his overwhelming defense.

  Snap!

  Bubat succeeded in grabbing the wrists of the confused Zhang Zheng and smiled.

  “I’m not called the Yak for nothing. Did you bring a small knife to catch a cow?”

  “You boar-like bastard…!

  Zhang Zheng sensed the crisis and attempted to shake off Bubat’s touch. But it was wishful thinking. A Crusher didn’t miss the opponent he had caught.

  “Go to Hell!”

  Kwajajajak!

  It was the Crusher’s move that slammed the enemy’s head into the ground, causing all types of status conditions. This skill had very high attack power. His attack power was influenced by his stamina stat, resulting in a force similar to a damage dealer.

  “…!”

  Zhang Zheng couldn’t even scream as his head was slammed to the ground. His vision was blurred by the darkness of the ground.

  “Ahat!”

  Bubat wrapped an arm around the waist of Zhang Zheng, stuck upside down in the ground. It wasn’t a gesture of affection.

  “It will hurt more this time. Huup!”

  Bubat gritted his teeth!

  Sok! Zhang Zheng’s body was lifted up like a sweet potato and descended again. It was like a gyro drop.

  ‘Ick!’

  As his vision moved from the sky to the ground at the speed of light, Zhang Zheng felt an instinctive fear. Goosebumps crept over his skin.

  ‘You dare…!’

  Zhang Zheng gritted his teeth. He overcame the chaos state caused by ‘Go to Hell.’

  “You dare do this to me! I will slaughter you!”

  He abandoned the Destruction Sword and pulled out a dagger. It was a lethal weapon that increased accuracy, had a probability of disregarding the defensive power of the target, and inflicted damage equal to the Sword of Destruction.

  Puk! Puk puk puk!

  “Kuk…!”

  Bubat’s face distorted as Zhang Zheng in his arms stabbed Bubat’s side. Zhang Zheng’s attacks that had a chance of ignoring defense were effective against Bubat. The Crusher had a passive skill that allowed him not to be harmed over a certain level of damage, but it was scary when the low damage accumulated.

  “Ohhhhhh!”

  Kuwaaaaaang!

  Bubat endured the pain and slammed Zhang Zheng into the ground.

  “Kiyaaaaaah! Kieeek! Kyaack! Keok!”

  Zhang Zheng continued to stab at Bubat’s side as he was slammed into the ground. Of course, the one who suffered the most damage was Zhang Zheng. The Descending Death boasted a damage twice as high as Go to Hell. Zhang Zheng looked like he was just about to die as his head was stuck in the ground. It was a quiet match.

  Peok peok! Peok!

  Bubat’s attack continued. Zhang Zheng was continuously in the ‘stunned’ state. Zhang Zheng boasted a high defense due to his items. However, his defensive power fell due to the influence of Descending Death and his health was rapidly consumed.

  “This is the end!”

  Bubat shouted as firmly as he could. He emitted a red light. It was the forerunner to one of the Crusher’s few attack skills, Watermelon Break.

  Jeeeeeong!

  The moment when Bubat’s hammer swept across Zhang Zheng’s unprotected abdomen.

  Kwa kwa kwa kwang!

  Zhang Zheng’s armor exploded. It wasn’t the effect of Watermelon Break. It was the ‘there will be triple the damage reflection if you receive a certain amount of damage’ effect of Zhang Zheng’s legendary rated armor.

  “Ugh!”

  Bubat was caught in the explosion and collapsed, while Zhang Zheng overcame the stun and raised his body. Then he unleashed sharp attacks on Bubat’s body.

  Puk!

  Seokeok!

  Blood spurted. Zhang Zheng swapped between eight types of weapons and started to maximize the power of various skills. The weapons had effects such as reducing defense power, dealing fixed damage, etc. The effect of the skills gradually weakened Bubat’s rock-like body.

  “You damn bastard! Do you know who I am? Kyaak!” Zhang Zheng stabbed the fallen Bubat without a break. Zhang Zheng’ shining eyes as he attacked made he seem like a killer i
n the movies. The organizers minimized the bloody effect but it was still a cruel scene.

  Finally.

  “B-Bubat has been logged out!!”

  Bubat turned to grey. However, Zhang Zheng kept stabbed the ground where Bubat had been.

  “Kyaak! Kiyaaaaaah!”

  It was a terrible thing. The sight filled the public with fear. Even the Chinese supporting Zhang Zheng felt creeped out and fell silent. Bubat’s wife, watching the competition on TV, had to hurriedly send her daughters to their room. It was an appalling atmosphere.

  “Cute.”

  Grid muttered as he prepared for his match. For Grid, who had the experience of meeting the read madman Agnus, Zhang Zheng was just at the level of a puppy barking.

  ***

  “The atmosphere will rise.”

  Tarma’s lips curved as he prepared for the second match in the round of 32. It was good for him that Zhang Zheng, classified as part of the new generation, had beaten Bubat. Since he was matched with Grid from the beginning, he wanted the public’s attention.

  He looked at Grid and smiled. That’s right. Tarma was assured of his victory. He was confident that he could easily neutralize Grid after using Erosion to temporarily destroy Grid’s strongest weapon.

  “I will take you down today and get rid of the humiliation of the past.”

  Tarma lost his reputation after being defeated by Grid in just three seconds at the 2nd National Competition. He became insignificant in the industry and requests stopped coming in. He lost wealth. Was that all? After Blood Carnival was dissolved due to Grid, he became a fugitive and hid on the East Continent, living a life of hell. Life on the East Continent was very difficult compared to the West Continent. It was truly awful.

  However, due to his desire for revenge, he eventually got Erosion.

  “Kukuk! Grid…! I will kill you!”

  There was a stir in Tarma’s body. He felt pleasure as he imagined the glory that could be gained by knocking down Grid.

  『 After Bubat’s sudden defeat, South Korea’s Grid and Greece’s Tarma are on stage. 』

  『 Player Tarma is notorious as a member of the former Blood Carnival. He’s an assassin who’s evaluated as being better than the god of killing, Faker. 』

  But last year, he was defeated by Grid in just three seconds and his image changed a lot. Now people didn’t have high expectations for him. At least until yesterday.