by Park Saenal
“…??”
The attack power and magic damage were slightly lower than those of the individual weapons. It seemed there was a negative aspect because the sword and staff had lost the ideal balance. There was also no significant change in the option values.
There was only one change.
[* Every time a spell is cast, a shield that absorbs 5,000 damage is automatically created. Targets that strike the shield are subjected to the fear and slowed stats.
★ When triggered, the options such as fire emission, hallucinations, red lightning summoning, black flames explosion, and so on are considered as casting a spell.]
The newly added option made the Belial’s Staff + Enlightenment Sword reach a new level of fraudulence. It was more than Grid had expected. The power of myth + myth combined…
[The blacksmith god is very surprised. He feels jealous of a human’s skills.]
[The other gods are laughing at the blacksmith god.]
[Affinity with the blacksmith god has decreased by 1.]
[If affinity with the blacksmith god reaches -10, any items made (above legendary rating) will be cursed.]
“Ah, ****…” Grid cursed after a long time. Every time he got something new, he always felt both joy and loss. There were big profits but also a big worry. One example was when he was nerfed every time he created five legendary items.
‘Jealousy? Curse? What type of god is this?’
It was a really serious situation that when he combined two myth rated items, his affinity with the blacksmith god would reduce. If Grid didn’t know how to increase the affinity, he would only get a penalty and wouldn’t be able to avoid the curse.
“Wow, this sucks! Really annoying.”
‘Damn bastard!’
The lightning gods came closer as Grid was cursing the unknown blacksmith god. However, Grid’s response was simple. He drew a full moon with the weapon he held, hitting the five lightning gods simultaneously. One was struck by flames while another was struck by a red lightning bolt. Then Grid’s body was surrounded by a translucent dark shield.
[A shield with 5,000 health has been created due to the effect of Belial’s Shield.]
[A shield with 5,000 health has been created due to the effect of Belial’s Shield.]
They were overlapping shields! In the blink of an eye, Grid obtained an extra 10,000 health. The other three lightning gods, that were not exposed to the flames and electricity, counterattacked.
[You have suffered 3,900 damage.]
[The target you have attacked has resisted the ‘fear’ state and failed to resist the ‘slowed’ state.]
[You have suffered 3,710 damage.]
[The target you have attacked has resisted the ‘fear’ state and failed to resist the ‘slowed’…]
[You have suffered 4,050 damage.]
[The target you have attacked has resisted the ‘fear’ state…]
Grid looked at the lightning gods losing their unique speed and was thrilled.
‘A scam!’
The opponent being unaffected by the status conditions was a secondary problem. Grid just enjoyed the overlapping shield effect which didn’t consume any mana.
‘More in the future…!’
Grid’s motivation boiled up. He attacked the lightning gods with the ‘spear’ which combined physical attack power and magic attack power.
‘I want to make more items in the future!’
This desire lay in Grid’s heart. Grid thought about the combination of items he could actively utilize due to Divinity, and his anticipation for the infinite overgeared state he could show pierced the sky. The five lightning gods exchanged blows with Grid and gradually turned to rags, suffering damage from the magic attack power that Grid displayed.
On the other hand, Grid was fine. The fire emission, red lightning, and black flames—the options attached to the item frequently appeared, and the shields accumulated in number. As the battle progressed, he didn’t lose any health and increased his protection instead. It went up to at least 50,000.
“Hat..! Kuhahahahaha!” A feeling of pleasure exploded within Grid.
It felt like he was cheating while playing the game. This was the joy of being overgeared. He was so excited that he felt like he would burst into pieces. If the lightning gods were creatures with emotions, they would complain about Grid’s absurdity.
“Nyahahat!” Noe also had a smile on his face while he was binge eating. Every time he swallowed a piece of the thunder stone which was the core of the lightning god, Noe’s level rose quickly, and it was now close to 100. This wasn’t strange since Noe was eating five lightning gods.
Grid shattered the head of the last lightning god. The duration of Item Combination finished, and he recovered the two separate weapons. Then he looked up at the glass ceiling.
“The thunder stone…”
It was emitting massive thunderbolts. Grid stabbed it with his sword. Then…
Kuwuong.
The clouds covering the sky disappeared like they had been a lie, and the thunder and lightning stopped. The heavy rain subsided as well. Light returned to the world that had faded to grey.
***
“…!!” Goldhit opened her eyes.
She hurriedly raised her body and looked around, wondering if she had dreamed everything. Then Goldhit saw the scene of Gyuratan and Bain competing against each other. It wasn’t a dream.
‘Dammit!’
To think she had shown such an ugly appearance to the emperor…? It was a disgrace. Goldhit was stunned because she had been so confident at first. Now, her face was flushed red. She was confused. Why hadn’t she used Teleport to get to the palace? It had been to analyze the power and techniques of the great demon.
Goldhit had inferred that Astaroth was familiar with darkness and lightning magic. There was also the high possibility that swordsmanship was involved. Therefore, Goldhit had used magic to significantly increase her body’s defense and physical strength.
Had that been all? After her splendid appearance, she had immediately deployed a barrier in case the great demon counterattacked. As a person who explored eternal life, Goldhit’s desire for survival was really great. Yet she had allowed an attack to hit her almost as soon as she arrived.
Goldhit clutched her head and recalled her last memory. ‘I didn’t get hit by him.’
Yes, the great magic that hit her body hadn’t been from Gyuratan. She winced as she remembered his appearance.
‘There is another enemy somewhere here.’
Goldhit was finally convinced that she had been hit in the back.
‘The enemy’s level is significant.’
They had the ability to use magic capable of penetrating a shield made of all attributes and the ability to hide so that she couldn’t detect it. Maybe it was another great demon… Could another great demon be hiding somewhere here? Goldhit gulped nervously.
A lightning bolt fell from the sky.
“Uh…?” A chill ran down Goldhit’s spine. She realized once again how clever the enemy was. The lightning storm itself was magic… The source couldn’t be found because this was magic without attributes.
“Is this Astaroth’s field…?!”
It was an enormous monster. Maybe Astaroth was a single digit great demon when he was complete?
It was at this time that Bain’s sword was unable to pierce through the demonic energy and floated in the sky. Bain missed the sword flying away from his head and was unable to block Gyuratan’s next attack.
“…”
At the collapsed great hall, the First Knight was in rags, and the Five Pillars present had been defeated. The corpses of the soldiers and knights that formed a mountain in the background were meaningless. This was the overwhelming power of the great demon.
Astaroth was about to speak. There was no hope for humanity. At that moment…
Swaaaah!
The rain pouring from the ceiling suddenly stopped. The lightning storm subsided, and the
demonic energy around Gyuratan’s body became a haze.
‘Don’t tell me…?’
The frustrated Goldhit remembered a certain man—Overgeared King Grid. Then…
Clink.
Mercedes used a broken sword as a cane and raised her body. It was a dangerous situation. Mercedes was severely wounded and seemed like she would die at any moment. It seemed like it was hard for her just to breathe. So, why? Why did the emperor feel infinite trust in her? This was the value of a knight’s existence.
Chapter 806
Chapter 806
A great demon was an existence beyond eternity. From their point of view, 15 years was extremely short. It was a long time for Astaroth, however, despite him being a great demon. The newly acquired body that he obtained 15 years ago from his contract was extremely fragile. It was like walking a thorny road as he mixed among humans. He felt relief whenever he passed the day safely.
“So…I persisted for 15 years.”
The shackle that was called a contract would last until his summoner’s wish was fulfilled. He overcame Piaro and Asmophel, the ones who decorated the golden age of the empire, before securing his own power. He devoted himself to making sure the days passed without blood or vomiting. However.
“This woman…!”
Kwaduduk!
Astaroth’s eyes were consumed with hatred as he gazed at Mercedes.
“You ruined everything!”
In fact, the direct cause was the Overgeared King. If that crazy human hadn’t showed up, Astaroth would have succeeded in getting rid of Mercedes and establishing a more solid position. With the way things were going, the contractor’s wish to become the emperor would’ve been quickly realized. As such, the completion of the contract would then secure him enough magic power to look for a chance of resurrection.
Yes, Astaroth hated and resented the Overgeared King for ruining his years of waiting. He wanted to tear out Grid’s soul and chew on the body. But the Overgeared King wasn’t here at the moment, making it natural for Astaroth’s resentment to spill over Mercedes.
“Why…?! Why did you bring him in?”
Astaroth’s weak body couldn’t bear his wrath as the swollen blood vessels on his forehead were ripped apart, spewing blood everywhere. Astaroth didn’t care, however, as he barely managed to gather his weakened demonic energy and fire it at Mercedes.
Astaroth knew one fact from mixing in with humans for the past 15 years: they were really weak. They were creatures that were little different from the livestock that they raised. It wouldn’t be strange for the injured Mercedes in front of him to die immediately. She would disappear from even a small wave of mana. There was a limit that humans couldn’t overcome.
The lightning demonic energy reached Mercedes; resistance was not allowed. The metal attraction attribute of the lightning pulled Mercedes’s broken sword towards her, preventing any resistance. She was destined to be helplessly killed by her own weapon, Astaroth was sure of it.
On the other hand, the emperor believed in Mercedes. The emperor shouted, “Mercedes! Survive!”
In the 12 years that she had been serving her master, this would be the first time that Mercedes had received her master’s sincere command.
“…”
Her faint consciousness. Her numb flesh. Mercedes’s vision was blurry, as if she was trapped in a cloudy fog. The only thing keeping her standing was her instinct to protect the emperor. However, things changed the moment she received the emperor’s command.
Mercedes’s vision brightened, her sharp eyes processing the world more completely than before. Mercedes threw her sword, stopping the demonic energy that was flowing towards her.
“It’s useless!”
Astaroth had come flying after the demonic energy. Astaroth ridiculed Mercedes for using the lightning rod principle to neutralize his demonic energy. It was a just a desperate, last-ditch effort after all. His devastating sword flew towards Mercedes’ face.
Mercedes used a sword technique, shouting, “Supreme Swordsmanship 4th Style!”
Her body responded with the technique that had been ingrained in her body since childhood. The skill of an old hero, the technique that exuded the essence of a person labeled a traitor. While it had to be sealed, Mercedes used it at this moment.
“What?”
Astaroth’s eyes narrowed in surprise. He was baffled that the sword about to pierce Mercedes’s face suddenly lost momentum before being pulled towards Mercedes’ fingertips. Mercedes created a sword by substituting her hands and arms in its place. Her body shone radiantly as her palms held Astaroth’s sword.
World messages emerged.
[A legendary knight has been born!]
[Every knight in the world will look up to her and praise her!]
“What…?” What…! What?!!!’
The fear sealed deep inside Astaroth’s heart instantly surged up. He got a glimpse of Muller’s shadow, a legend that broke beyond human limits and could threaten a superior species, from Mercedes. Mercedes had evolved. Astaroth wanted to deny the terrible reality before him.
“Knight’s Resolution.”
Silver sword energy burst out from Mercedes. Her sword energy didn’t target Astaroth and headed towards her fellow knights instead.
“Oh…! Ohhh…!”
“S-Sir Mercedes!”
The knights who received Mercedes’ sword energy rose up. They were so energetic it was hard to imagine that they had been on the verge of dying not too long ago. A silver sword imprint on their chests burned like fire. There was also a silver sword imprint on Mercedes’ own chest.
“What are you trying to do?!!” shouted Astaroth, feeling threatened. He let out a deep, guttural growl, as if he were a wild beast. However, Mercedes and the knights felt no fear, with infinite courage protecting them.
“For our homeland.”
“For our homeland!!”
Mercedes and the knights yelled! Then they rushed to Astaroth all at once. Astaroth was forced to give up the sword caught by Mercedes in order to get away from his spot, which was a big deal considering his strength. Thanks to Astaroth, Mercedes got a new weapon and became a complete knight.
Despite her various injuries, she leapt towards Astaroth at a transcendent pace, her sword dancing through the air like it was nothing. Her beautiful swordsmanship captivated everyone’s attention.
“Pledge Sword.”
The knights couldn’t count how many times Mercedes stabbed Astaroth with her silver sword energy; it was just too fast to be seen by the naked eye. She stabbed so much and so fast that it made the illusion that the universe was pouring out into the air.
“Kuak!”
Astaroth crashed to the ground and coughed up blood.
Kuwaaaang!
The floor collapsed. The ground vibrated but the knights stood firmly in place. Due to Mercedes’ buff effect, their courage and physical abilities had increased significantly.
“You…!” Astaroth’s pale face became paler as he barely raised his body. Dozens of swords could be seen in his vision. It was in the sky above him. Mercedes watched Astaroth being damaged by the buffed knights and held her sword in front of her chest. The straight line seemed to represent her heart.
“Didn’t I tell you? I will punish you.”
Mercedes’s sword energy fully unfurled, revealing wings of silver light fluttering behind her. Her glowing sword gave Astaroth a sense of despair.
“Why?!”
Why were the legends always disturbing him?! This call rang out as Mercedes’s sword came down like an angel descending to earth. Astaroth lost his power in the aftermath of the thunder stone’s destruction, and was unable to cope with her attack. Thus, he was split in half, turning to grey.
“Waaaaaaaah!”
The knights’ shouts filled the great hall. Their momentum seemed to cover all of Titan. On the other hand, everyone, including the emperor, Bain, and Goldhit were silent. The second legend in the empire’s history. B
ain and Goldhit couldn’t help feeling jealous.
In addition, there was the emperor.
“…”
He was ashamed. From the moment he was born, he had reigned over the world. This was the first time he was unable to raise his head. Mercedes approached him. Her life was saved after becoming a legend, but her body was covered in bloody wounds. Even so, just the fact that she was still beautiful was amazing.
“Your Majesty, please forgive my disloyalty in not trusting you.”
“…”
The emperor was silent as Mercedes kneeled down before him. She was dominated by guilt, making the emperor feel even more pained.
“That…you are putting the burden of blame on yourself?”
“Knights can’t blame their masters.”
“Piaro and the former Red Knights didn’t betray me?”
“Yes. Everything was the work of the evil great demon.”
“Did you know it from the beginning?”
“I only found out recently. Piaro and Asmophel are serving the Overgeared King.”
Mercedes’ explanation followed, explaining the truth that she had heard and seen to the emperor. The emperor listened quietly while the knights were in tears.
“I see… It was like that…” The emperor nodded after he found out the truth. He lamented while feeling regret and guilt over the past. He was grateful that Piaro met a new master and overcame the past feelings.
“Mercedes.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
What decision would the empire make? Would he forgive Piaro’s sins, and redeem him as a hero? Or would he cover up the past mistakes? No matter what choice the emperor made, Mercedes had to accept it. Honestly, though, she hoped that the emperor would tell the truth to the empire. She dreamed that Piaro would be stripped of the ‘traitor’ label.
The emperor’s voice entered her ears, “I will strip you of your knight qualifications.”
“…!”
“Y-Your Majesty!”
Mercedes was at a loss for words while the knights were agitated. Bain and Goldhit were also greatly confused. The emperor was getting rid of a knight who had become a legend? It didn’t matter what the reason was; it was an incredibly stupid choice.