by Park Saenal
Grid stopped speaking and looked at Kraugel, who was also surrounded by reporters. Grid’s eyes were no different than before.
“Thanks to Kraugel, I was able to reach where I am now. Kraugel will forever be my idol and competitor.”
Grid closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He recalled everything that happened in reality and in Satisfy as he struggled at the bottom before he reached the peak. He opened his eyes and smiled at the hundreds of cameras focused on him. He already organized his thoughts.
“And…the best capsules are from the Comet Group.”
Grid still had the sponsorship of the Comet Group this year. The most important point was that the Comet Group’s sales jumped thanks to Grid. Grid’s words had a bigger impact on sales than the combination of TV, Internet, and newspaper ads. All the Comet Group employees felt unlimited gratitude and affection for Grid. The chairman of the Comet Group had a plan to marry his youngest daughter to Grid. But the youngest daughter of the Comet Group stubbornly refused. The world’s best women, Yura and Jishuka, were standing by Grid’s side. She wasn’t a match for Grid when she was just a rich daughter.
Overall, it was a friendly atmosphere.
“Then…what about next year?”
“Yes. Just imagine the hell.”
“What can we do? We just have to give up.”
Chris, Damian, Pon, Regas, Katz, etc. They felt despair because they knew Grid’s power. They didn’t have a sense of how to win against Grid, who thanks to winning this year’s PvP, would appear as the Hero next year.
“Infinite stiffness is the default and his God Hands can turn into all types of items.
“Blackening and Belial’s Power…”
“How can we beat Grid’s Enlightenment Sword?”
“I don’t want him to summon Iyarugt. Maybe we can win in two years?”
“…”
Was it possible to beat him after two years? No one was sure. They didn’t say it, but they already knew the answer. They wouldn’t participate in next year’s Breaking the Hero. That was the easiest thing to do.
***
“Are you going back to South Korea?”
“Yes. I want to eat the rice that my mother prepares.”
“…A mother’s cooking. I’m envious.”
“Eh? Kraugel, don’t you live with your mother? What? Is your mother sick again?”
“No. Don’t take my words seriously.”
Tokyo Dome had been the stage of the National Competition for the third year. After the closing ceremony, Grid and Kraugel were sitting side by side on the empty stands. Both of them were illuminated by the dim lighting.
“In the future, your area of activities will be wider.”
“Isn’t it the same for you?”
“I’m an individual and you’re a king. You will obtain more information and visit more places.”
“Huhu, are you nervous? You don’t have to worry. Don’t I also have to shoulder the responsibility of a king? I will be going forward with heavy footsteps while you will have a light gait.”
“…Let’s not keep talking about this. Grid, remember one thing.”
“What is it?”
Kraugel’s eyes were very dignified. What did he want to say? Grid’s smiling face went away. He took a serious listening attitude.
Kraugel started talking. “If you visit the East Continent as a king, you will certainly be intertwined with the Hwan Kingdom.”
Kraugel also had eyes and ears. He visited the East Continent much earlier than Grid and knew roughly what Grid had gone through on the continent. However, he didn’t know the detailed information of what Grid had already encountered. He only knew that Grid was active in Pangea and moved some of its residents to the Overgeared Kingdom.
“You should’ve heard about the Hwan Kingdom. They’re the only religion and ruler of the East Continent.”
“They’re like the Saharan Empire.”
Kraugel spoke seriously. It was a story he already knew so he couldn’t take it lightly. Kraugel shook his head at Grid. “There’s no comparison to the empire. Didn’t I tell you? They’re the only religion and ruler of the East Continent. They’re gods to the people of the East Continent.”
“…”
The yangban Garam passed through Grid’s head. In the meantime, the word ‘yangban’ emerged from Kraugel’s mouth.
“Yangban… They aren’t those who fancy themselves as pseudo-gods. They’re the ones who consider themselves as gods because they have the right qualities and skills.” Kraugel finally cut to the chase. “Don’t mix up with them until you are at least level 500. If you have to visit the East Continent, then visit it as an individual. I don’t know what will happen if your kingdom gets tied up with the Hwan Kingdom.”
“What? Are they really dangerous?”
“Strictly speaking, they aren’t evil. But their ideas are different. Think about them as monsters.”
Grid recalled with Garam was like and fully sympathized with Kraugel. Grid smiled and asked a question, “Are they that strong? It’s enough to make you act like this.”
Kraugel nodded without hesitation.
“They’re strong. To you right now, they’re a great mountain, another mountain on top of the great mountain and the sky above it.”
“…”
Was this referring to the Chiyou test that Garam mentioned? Had Kraugel met up with them? Grid was filled with pure curiosity when he heard Kraugel’s voice.
“But.”
“…?”
“They aren’t as strong as Bunhelier.”
“Huhu.” Grid understood Kraugel’s meaning and stretched. “Okay. I understand. I’ll be alert. I can avoid them, but I won’t be daunted by those who aren’t a dragon.”
“I’m glad that you understand.”
Yes, Grid just had to be alert. He wouldn’t be involved with those sociopaths unless they were interested first. Grid was strong. Kraugel believed this but he didn’t know Grid had already become a target of a yangban.
“Then I’m going. I’m going home to eat.”
Grid said farewell with a handshake. He wanted to have a glass of soju with Kraugel, but it wasn’t yet time. The day that he shared a cup with Kraugel…
“Three rounds.”
“…?”
“A man’s match should be decided in three rounds? I was thinking about it but the first time we fought doesn’t count.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“It was just after you fought Piaro. Wouldn’t you have won if you were in a normal state?”
“It’s pointless to think this way. I lost at that time. This is the truth.”
“No, I’m not convinced.” Grid pulled back his hand. He immediately turned away from Kraugel. “Let’s play the third round in the National Competition next year. Then we will have a cup of soju on that day.”
“You…!”
Grid ignored Kraugel’s cry. He headed straight to the parking lot where Toon was waiting. Grid had noticed. After being freed from his high position, Kraugel was planning to seclude himself from the world. Kraugel would act like he used to and not do public activities again.
“You shouldn’t retire alone.”
Kraugel must be in Grid’s field of view. If Grid didn’t see Kraugel, he would feel insecure. Grid had to confirm whether Kraugel was still behind him or had already gone ahead.
“Just relax and continue to play against me, Kraugel.”
There were many ways to invalidate the three rounds. Grid had overwhelmingly conditions not just in the first round, but the second and third as well. It was too unfair.
A huge smile. Toon jumped as he saw Grid smiling in the middle. It was because Grid was making a different expression from normal. He seemed like a completely different person from this morning.
‘The best…’
A warrior became a blacksmith, joined the Tzedakah Guild, became the master of the Overgeared Guild, and eventually became the king
of the Overgeared Kingdom. His evolution was still ongoing. What would Grid look like a year from now? Toon was full of expectations when he suddenly received a call.
“…What?”
It was the worst news. Toon paled and looked back. Grid was so tired that he had fallen asleep.
“Did something happen?” The driver asked.
“Go to the airport instantly.” Toon urged. He prayed eagerly for Grid to be having a good dream.
***
Let’s go back in time. It was time for the PvP finals between Grid and Kraugel to start.
“It’s here.”
Veradin led the elites of Immortal and stood in front of the smithy in the center of Reinhardt. It was a huge smithy. No, to be exact, it was a smithy complex. There were five smithies in the center of Reinhardt that could accommodate at least 30 furnaces. The alarming part was that there were many smithies still under construction.
“Reinhardt is said to be a city without a night and it’s all because of the smithies.”
The necromancers of Immortal clicked their tongues. On the other hand, Veradin was smiling.
‘Grid will be quite angry if all the smithies here are burned.’
The legendary farmer Piaro, who lived in Siren, had disappeared after the vampire expedition. Grid’s first knight Jude was still in Bairan. In addition, the great magician Ashur was guarding the border.
Grid’s three heavenly kings weren’t in Reinhardt. He was sure of it since it was information received from Empress Marie. In addition, the National Competition was now occurring. Most of the Overgeared members who were supposed to replace the three heavenly kings were mostly away. It was obvious that Reinhardt’s defenses were weak at this time.
“But shouldn’t I be careful? First of all, I will assassinate Khan who is the target.”
Sururuk.
He secretly summoned a death knight in the darkness. It was a death knight made from the corpse of the assassin who was called ‘reaper in the dark.’ Veradin’s heart pounded. There was a need to weaken the power of the Overgeared Kingdom for the future of Immortal. He led the elites of Immortal for this reason.
This incident would make Grid furious. What would happen when he found out Agnus was behind it? It was obvious. Grid would be filled with killing intent. What would Agnus look like in a dire crisis? Veradin was curious as well. He wanted to observe all aspects of the madman.
That’s right. Like Lauel said in the past, Veradin wasn’t loyal to Agnus. Agnus was just an interesting experiment. Grid was selected as a sacrifice for the experiment.
Chapter 773
Chapter 773
Khan’s family had produced excellent blacksmiths for generations, while the king of the Eternal Kingdom changed 11 times. They owned a famous smithy. It was no wonder that Khan’s pride was as high as the sky. Since his youth, he had been praised as the best blacksmith in the eastern part of the Eternal Kingdom and dreamt about becoming the first blacksmith of the continent. He didn’t doubt that his dream would become a reality.
But reality wasn’t that easy. It was cruel. Reality trampled on his dreams, tearing them to ashes. His beloved wife and son died. Khan experienced great heartbreak and spent a few years as a drunkard. He held a bottle in his hand instead of a hammer and looked at the river instead of a fire.
His wife was a childhood friend he had grown up with. In the process of welcoming her as his lover and wife, Khan’s affection was incomparably greater than the world’s gold and treasures. Then he lost her overnight. There was also his son who loved her as much as Khan did.
Khan was left alone and had no meaning in his life. If the Mero Company hadn’t coveted the smithy Khan inherited from his father, he would’ve chosen to obediently die. But the Mero Company coveted his smithy. Khan had to endure somehow. He recalled his duty and suppressed his grief in order to maintain his smithy.
It was a meaningless effort. His grief was very large. He couldn’t keep back the poison for long. In the end, he gave up everything in life. He gave everything to the damn swindlers and was on his way to making the extreme choice of cutting off his life.
The savior who appeared at this time was Grid. Khan still vividly remembered Grid’s first appearance. A young man with a sullen expression and a dead look in his eyes. Grid resembled himself. But their skills were different. After he saved Khan from the crisis, he became Khan’s disciple, friend, and son. Now he was a king.
“Haha…”
Deep in the night. Khan carefully polished the metal and wiped the tears that suddenly flowed down. 80 years old. He had lived longer than others. Perhaps that was why? He was keenly aware of it. He couldn’t sleep easily, he was submerged in memories, and he kept shedding tears.
“It’s time for me to go.”
Every person had a fixed lifetime. He would naturally know how much life he had left once it was time. Some people might see Khan as only an NPC, but he was also a person. He instinctively sensed it was time for him to leave. That’s why he was busy hammering. His hammer was filled with a desire to pay back Grid as much as possible before Khan left.
Ttang! Ttang!
Did he want to prove that the blood of Albatino, who inspired Pagma, flowed inside his body? Khan was obsessed with making a better Valhalla. He wished that this armor would help preserve Grid’s life.
‘Perhaps this will be my posthumous work.’
This was his last chance. It was an opportunity to prove his life as a blacksmith wasn’t in vain. An opportunity to prove that King Grid’s teaching wasn’t lacking!
Ttang! Ttang!
Khan wanted Valhalla to be completed as the greatest armor on this earth. He wanted to make an armor that Grid wouldn’t be ashamed of. He reminded himself of this every time he saw Grid’s armor.
Ttaaang!
Khan’s hammering was more sophisticated than ever. It was so delicate that it was comparable to a legendary blacksmith. It was a hammer containing the desires of a blacksmith. Now Khan was making his life’s work. It wasn’t a miracle, but all his experience that allowed him to display a greater ability than usual.
Ttang! Ttang!
The blacksmiths alternated working day and night on the mass produced Grid set. Their hammering could be heard despite the late hour. Khan’s hammering sound was exceptionally clear.
“The chief is in good condition today?”
“I agree. I’m already anticipating some monster-like work.”
“But I’m a bit worried. It looks like he hasn’t been sleeping for the past few days…”
A strange voice entered the blacksmiths’ ears.
“There’s a saying about the final radiance of a setting sun (dying flash).”
It was a low voice. The voice came from the entrance.
Clack! Clack clack clack!
The sounds that followed were a bit strange. It sounded like footsteps but were very light.
“…?”
Khan turned his gaze towards the entrance and was shocked.
“Heok!”
“S-Skeleton…?”
They weren’t mistaken. Bones occupied the entrance to the smithy. The lifeless bodies moved in a threatening manner. Skeleton knight. At the center of these skeletons, the white-haired Veradin fixed his gaze on Khan.
“The appearance of working severe hours while burning your life. It’s a very desirous attitude for a worker. It is no wonder that you have the favor of the Overgeared King.”
“Who are you?”
The smithy complex was the most important area in the Overgeared Kingdom. Soldiers were always stationed here and the knights patrolled every hour. Now an unidentified intruder appeared in the smithy that was at the center. Khan didn’t know what types of terrible things happened outside.
Khan replied to Khan, who showed extreme vigilance.
“I’m sorry, but I’m a villain.”
Swipe.
Veradin winked and the robed men behind him clapped their hands. It was a signal for the
skeleton knights to move.
“H-Hik!”
“K-Khan! Run away!”
The frightened blacksmiths gathered to stall the skeleton knights. They knew that Khan’s life was more important than their own. Khan was their respected mentor and the closest one to King Grid!
“Kuaaaack!”
“Ugh…! K-Khan! Hurry!”
The skeleton knights were the advanced undead that could only be produced with the body of a knight. Since they were already dead, they weren’t afraid of death. They were given the power of the necromancers and demonstrated a transcendent ability. It was a level where knights could barely subdue them.
Then what about the blacksmiths? They had excellent strength and stamina because they used their bodies for a living, but they were still civilians in the end. Five skeleton knights instantly slaughtered dozens of blacksmiths.
“Jane…! Abra!”
Khan screamed with a white face. The young people who would become the pillars of the kingdom lost their lives. His sense of despair was great.
“Come forward. Isn’t it easier for you to quickly accept the inevitable fate?”
The sacrifice of the young blacksmiths to save an old man made Veradin unhappy. It was awkward to have unnecessary casualties. He was sensitive to the value of life. He didn’t mind killing for a purpose, but he disliked unplanned killing. Veradin blocked the entrance with a frown and hastened Khan’s death.
The result was that a sound was heard. Something fell from the high ceiling of the smithy and the skeleton knights were cut apart.
“…!”
Veradin’s eyes shook. It was because he knew the identity of the man who destroyed five skeleton knights summoned by the elites of Immortal.
“Faker, why are you here?”
As a close confidant of Grid, shouldn’t Faker be watching the PvP match right now? He should support his master like a loyal dog. The doubtful Veradin read Faker’s eyes and snarled.
“I see. The god of killing… Is it more interesting to be a god than a dog?”
Teook!
Just before Veradin’s words finished. Faker used Acceleration to move faster than anyone and he reached Veradin’s side. His weapon was one of the Belial series of items received at the Overgeared Kingdom’s founding ceremony. The dagger made of Belial’s bones stabbed at Veradin.