by Park Saenal
The Chinese pride in their country was the highest in the world. They were drunk in the name of nationalism and dreamt of a brilliant future. They didn’t doubt that China would be one of the leading superpowers in Satisfy. The 1.5 billion population were excited.
“Admitting that I am afraid? Me? Of you?” Then Grid gave them despair. “You’re just a fly to me. I don’t have to catch you directly. Summon Iyarugt.”
Kurururung!
Grid pulled out Iyarugt and it roared. Grid couldn’t hold it as a blood red light scattered all over the place.
Paaaat!
Iyarugt emerged from Grid’s grasp and flew into the sky. The translucent red color of the smelted bloodstone started to darken. The ancient golden characters gave it a mysterious and beautiful sight.
‘What?’
Zhang Zheng and the crowd was dazzled by the amazing sight.
Kuoooooh-
Iyarugt didn’t move anymore. The light being emitted calmed down and everything became silent.
“…”
It was static, like time had stopped. It was a short moment.
Paaaat!
The static broke as a red ball popped out from Iyarugt, still floating in the air. Hell’s best swordsman, a Sword Demon, Great Demon Zepar’s only rival, etc. It was the moment when the soul of Iyarugt, who had all types of titles attached to him, appeared before the public.
“What’s this…?”
Zhang Zheng belatedly became anxious and moved back. His instincts told him that he shouldn’t let the red sword complete its actions. However, it was already too late. Iyarugt’s soul exploded like the starlight of the universe and formed a shape.
An old man bent over. He had a sharp horn sticking out from his forehead, was covered with a flaming red light, and his eyes bulged like developed muscles. The iris, visible in the shadowy eyes, were as black as the deep sea.
“Demonkin…!”
A player could summon a demonkin? No, they knew it was possible for a third advancement black magician, but the blacksmith Grid? Zhang Zheng paled at the unexpected situation. Then the elderly old man summoned in front of him took a deep breath, enjoying the sweet air that entered deep into his lungs.
“Sweet.”
He had the magic power of a lower demonkin, but his swordsmanship was enough for him to compete with great demons. Marbas, one of the major powers in hell evaluated Iyarugt as ‘one who can change the landscape of hell.’
Sakak-!
He held the floating Iyarugt and moved towards Zhang Zheng.
“Keok…!”
[A weakness in your swordsmanship is exposed.]
[Evasion rate is ignored, defense has dropped, and you will receive critical damage.]
[You have suffered 12,150 damage.]
“K-Kuock…!”
One sword. Yet this strike caused Zhang Zheng to lose one-fifth of his health. What the hell was this demonkin? Zhang Zheng was dumbfounded by the emergence of an unexpected monster.
Snap!
It was hard to believe that Iyarugt was an old man as he moved and pushed Zhang Zheng to the ground.
Peeeeok!
Zhang Zheng couldn’t resist and fell to the ground.
“…”
The Chinese spectators and viewers were mute at the helpless appearance of Zhang Zheng.
***
Name: Iyarugt
Age: ?? Gender: Male
Species: Horned Demon
Title: Best Swordsman of Hell
* When sword type weapons are used, the attack power is doubled. There is a 100% chance of a critical strike when hitting a weak point. Evasion rate will increase by 50%.
Strength: 3,503 Stamina: 1,090
Agility: 3,201 Intelligence: 330
Skills: Swordsman’s Eyes (S), One Way of Life (SS-), Sword Dance Explosion (SS), Volcanic Circulation (SS), Hell Moon Cut (SS), Sublime Sword (SS+)
A horned demon classified as a lower demon. As a result of training in swordsmanship without giving up, he became the strongest swordsman of hell. But he failed to overcome the limit of his birth and was defeated in a battle with the great demon Zepar and died.
After that, his soul was cursed and attached to a sword.
* By winning in a battle against the strong, he can regain a feeling of life. Repeating this a few more times can recover all his skills (1/10)
* You must win against an opponent who is recognized as an ‘enemy.’
* Iyarugt has a strong camaraderie that will develop into liking towards you.
It specified that Iyarugt hadn’t regained his strength yet. In one on one fights with the current Grid, Iyarugt would be hit like a dog every time by Grid. Of course, from a general point of view, he was a powerful demonkin. HIs health and defense weren’t much different from normal players, but his attack attack was based on a definitive critical attack and almost matched Grid’s attack power. Even within the Overgeared Guild, there were only around 10 people who could match Iyarugt’s attack power.
The third advancement Zhang Zheng couldn’t afford to be hit by him. What about the control skill that Zhang Zheng was so proud of? It didn’t work in front of Iyarugt. What about Zhang Zheng’s items? They were trivial to Iyarugt after being hit several times by Grid’s items.
“Kuaaaah!”
Zhang Zheng roared with humiliation and raised his body. He tried to swing the sword that dealt ‘extra damage to demonkin.’ But Iyarugt swung his sword again and Zhang Zheng’s attack was in vain. Zhang Zheng glared at Grid.
“You! You Bangzi bastard! You’re a coward! You’re afraid of a fair fight so you brought a monster like this!!”
There was a limit to the attack power of a pet. Their stats were low if their level didn’t exceed their master’s. However, the demonkin in front of him dealt 10,000 damage. It was well beyond Grid’s attack power that Zhang Zheng had estimated. Zhang Zheng believed that Grid had temporarily contracted with the demonkin through a special quest. In other words, it was interpreted as a trump card. He had no idea that Iyarugt was a Grid specific summon.
Grid was conscious of the cameras focused on himself and Iyarugt as he answered, “What damn monster? He’s just my pet.”
“What? What nonsense are you saying?”
Zhang Zheng rushed towards Grid.
[Black King’s Armor]
Rating: Legendary
Durability: 299/299 Defense: 699
* Blocks incoming damage by 7%.
* There is a 30% of a stealth effect in the dark.
* There is a 20% increase in defense in the dark.
* Agility +50 in the darkness.
* Once 30,000 damage is accumulated, three times the magic damage will be reflected back. At this time, the armor’s durability is reduced by 50. In addition, the effect isn’t activated if more than 30,000 damage is received at once.
Zhang Zheng was determined to beat Grid and the demonkin with the strongest armor. Theoretically, it was possible. The Black King’s Armor reflected a damage of 90,000, which wasn’t enough for a player to endure! But…
Peok peok!
[You have been stiffened.]
[You have been stiffened.]
[You have been stiff…]
“Ugh! Keok! Eek!”
He couldn’t reach Grid. From the moment the God Hands wielded Mjolnir, Zhang Zheng fell into the hell of infinite stiffness. Zhang Zheng kept screaming as he was hit in the head with a hammer. It was the appearance of a cheap dance as his head moved from the right to left. Grid laughed as an infinite CC that could be called a scam was used.
“Didn’t I tell you? You won’t even have a chance to swing your sword.”
Originally, Grid was the representative of an arrogant person. If he truly expressed any grudges he had, he would make Zhang Zheng look charming.
“You…! You lousy jerk! Eek! Keok!”
Zhang Zheng resented Grid’s attitude, but he had no way of doing anything. As Zhang Zheng’s health was slowly being consumed
in units of hundreds, the 1.5 billion population of China fell into shock and despair.
Chapter 766
Chapter 766
[You have suffered 1,950 damage.]
[You have become stiff. You can’t take any actions.]
[You have suffered 879 damage.]
[You have become stiff…]
[You have suffered 880 damage…]
“Ugh! Keok! Eek! Kuoh! Kuaaah!”
There was a feeling of helplessness, like a fly caught in a spider web. Zhang Zheng roared like a wild beast after being frozen by Mjolnir for a few minutes. It was difficult for him to accept this awful feeling of helplessness that he felt for the first time. Why did he have to be disgraced in front of the world?
‘I won’t be able to raise my head if I’m logged out this way!’
It had been less than an hour since his interview stating that Grid and Kraugel were insignificant. The one who was defeated without Grid lifting a finger would transform into trash that was no different from Tarma.
Kwaduduk!
Zhang Zheng wanted to deny this terrible reality. He tried to act. In order to regain his freedom, he looked for a gap.
‘Let’s concentrate!’
He only needed to move his hands once. If he wielded his sword the moment the stiffness was released and defended against the hammer attack, he would be freed. Zhang Zheng calmed his mind and didn’t doubt it. Until now, he had lost his cool at the infinite CCs. But he was confident that he could escape from this hell since a skill with an infinite effect in Satisfy couldn’t exist.
But.
Peok!
0.3 seconds.
Peok peok!
0.1 seconds, 0.1 seconds, 0.1 seconds and 0.3 seconds again. The four hammers alternated, leaving no gaps in the stiffness. Zhang Zheng tried to focus but he couldn’t find the right timing to escape.
‘This is ridiculous…!’
It was a scam! Grid was using a bug! The moment that Zhang Zheng was convinced.
[30,000 damage has accumulated. The Black King’s Armor feels humiliated!]
Peeeeeong!
The dark armor that Zhang Zheng was wearing flashed red and exploded. It was the prelude to a counterattack. The God Hands were caught in the explosion and flew in every direction, becoming rigid. Then Zhang Zheng was freed from the endless CC.
Gulp!
Zhang Zheng immediately drank a health potion and headed to Grid.
“How long did you think you could hide behind that trick?”
Zhang Zheng was excited. The moment when Zhang Zheng tried to aim his sword at Grid.
Puok!
[You have suffered 13,050 damage.]
Iyarugt, who had been standing next to Grid with folded arms interfered.
“Keok!”
Zhang Zheng was hit by Iyarugt due to being blinded by Grid. Then he coughed up blood. It was the moment when his hell started again.
Peok peok! Peok peok peok!
“Ugh! Eek! Kek!”
The God Hands were released from their stiffness and randomly assaulted Zhang Zheng again. It was the scene where the counterattack that the Chinese crowd were hoping for failed.
[30,000 damage has accumulated. The Black King’s Armor feels humiliated!]
“Kiyaaaaah! Bastard! Die! Dieeee!”
During the time that Zhang Zheng was released from the stiffness, he pulled out some chains.
Chwaruruk!
The chains stretched out in all directions to restrain the God Hands.
‘That’s it!’
Zhang Zheng smiled with satisfaction, took a potion, and rushed to Iyarugt. He realized that he had to beat Iyarugt to get to Grid.
Chaaeng! Chaeng!
Zhang Zheng exchanged sword blows. Zhang Zheng recovered his cool and demonstrated 120% of his stats. It was because he had a desire to smash the nasty Grid. But his momentum didn’t last long. While Zhang Zheng was caught in the fight against Iyarugt, Grid had released all the chains restraining the God Hands.
Peok! Peok peok!
“Cough! Ugh! Eek!”
Peeeeeong!
Zhang Zheng’s armor was hit a few more times by Mjolnir and exploded again. It meant that a lot of damage accumulated during the battle with Iyarugt.
“Bastard! You nasty bastard! Cowardly bastard!!!”
Zhang Zheng bound the God Hands with the chains again and glared at Grid with bloodshot eyes. Grid didn’t fight until the end, only relying on his items and pets. It was like a one player fighting game! But what could he do about his anger? Zhang Zheng might be able to match Iyarugt, but he couldn’t defeat Iyarugt.
While he was tied up with Iyarugt, Grid untied the chains holding the God Hands. Then he relaxed with a whistle!
“…”
The commentators were silent. It was too uncomfortable to talk about this one-sided and terrible match. On the other hand, Grid…
‘It’s still incomplete.’
He was watching Zhang Zheng’s armor. It wasn’t a ‘damage reflection every time it was hit’ but a ‘damage reflection every time a certain amount of damage accumulated?’ It reflected a huge three times the damage. Therefore, Zhang Zheng’s armor was sure to have a huge penalty.
Grid had expected this from the beginning. Grid could make a better production item than a dropped item the reflected three times the damage. From the moment he heard about Zhang Zheng’s armor from Bubat, he predicted there would be a deadly problem with Zhang Zheng’s armor.
Peeeeeong!
Finally, the Black King’s Armor exploded and Zhang Zheng drank a potion. Then the same thing repeated.
Peeeeeong!
It was the fifth explosion of the Black King’s Armor. Zhang Zheng once again drank a potion. Then he noticed a wicked smile spreading on Grid’s face.
‘Is this bastard smiling…? Eh?’
Zhang Zheng was taken aback when he witnessed Grid’s face. He belatedly realized that he overlooked one fact because he was completely lost in the humiliation he felt for the first time in his life.
‘…The armor’s durability!’
A chill went down Zhang Zheng’s spine. The Black King’s Armor, it exploded five times? Then 250 durability had been lost. If it exploded one more time…!
Peok! Peok peok!
“N-No…!”
[You have suffered 1,600 damage.]
[You have suffered 930…]
[You have suffered 965…]
Zhang Zheng became panicked as the Mjolnir bombardment started again.
“Stop! Please! Please stoppppp!”
The crowd murmured as Zhang Zheng’s desperate screams rang out through Tokyo Dome. The nasty Zhang Zheng was crying and begging as a child. Then Grid…
“What if I don’t want to?”
He didn’t stop. Zhang Zheng was wicked. Considering his personality, Grid didn’t know what he would do if Zhang Zheng wasn’t trampled on. Grid knew it for sure because he had met many enemies in his life. Zhang Zheng wasn’t someone he should show mercy to.
“Today is your memorial day.”
“You…!”
Zhang Zheng was unable to swap items in the infinite stiffness state! Zhang Zheng fell into despair at the worst situation when a notification window rose.
[30,000 damage has accumulated. The Black King’s Armor feels humiliated!]
Peeeeeong!
[The Black King’s Armor has completely lost its durability. The Black King’s Armor is permanently destroyed.]
“N-No! Nooooooooo!!”
Zhang Zheng screamed.
Puok!
Iyarugt dealt the final blow. Zhang Zheng was finally released from hell.
***
“The winner is Grid!!”
The same time that the host called out.
“You…! How dare you!”
Zhang Zheng rushed towards Grid the moment he logged out and exited the capsule. He completely lost his temper and forgot that this was the National Competition. His actions were
being broadcasted around the world.
“I will kill you!”
Zhang Zheng roared like a dog with rabies and swung his fist. It was a fist that accurately aimed for Grid’s face as he left the capsule late. Grid was caught off guard. The crowd cried out as they expected Grid to be hit. But surprisingly, Grid didn’t allow the attack. He instinctively used footwork to avoid Zhang Zheng’s fist. Then he kicked out, knocking Zhang Zheng down. It was a counterattack that took full advantage of the natural body movements from playing Satisfy, a body that had been constantly exercising and the Taekwondo taught during military service.
“…!!”
The security guarded running on stage were stunned when they witnessed what happened to Zhang Zheng. They were impressed with Grid’s clean movements. On the other hand, Grid was baffled.
‘Wow, what a terrible fighter.’
Grid had been beaten up in his school days. Even a few years ago, he had been hit by the gangsters harassing Sehee and Yerim and ended up being protected by Yerim. Being protected by a high school girl…
Grid was forced to think he was weak. He believed that he was someone who couldn’t fight in reality. Yet Zhang Zheng’s fist seemed to be in slow motion.
‘There are people who are worse at fighting than me…’
Grid looked at Zhang Zheng, who had collapsed from his weak kick, and was filled with sympathy. Grid didn’t know. Zhang Zheng was actually a martial artist in China.
The viewers cheered.
“Waaahhhhhhhh!”
“Grid properly gave a scolding to that nasty Chinese player!”
“How can he fight so well? What can’t he do?”
“He’s the real deal…!”
“Grid! Grid!! Grid!!!”
The atmosphere rose. The Grid who exited on the cheers was the main character of the world itself. On the other hand, Zhang Zheng was greatly disciplined for his constant cursing and violence. His account was suspended from Satisfy for four months and he wouldn’t be able to participate in the next two National Competitions.
China’s new star fell as soon as he rose. All of China had a mournful atmosphere. But surprisingly, few Chinese people blamed Grid. This incident was caused by Zhang Zheng himself and they thought he deserved it.
At the same time, the Korean team’s waiting room.