by Park Saenal
‘Indeed?’
Grid’s new God Hands were able to wear equipment. If equipment couldn’t be worn, they would be too lacking in comparison to the old God Hands. The semi-translucent God Hands grabbed the Mjolnirs from Grid, meaning that equipment could definitely be worn.
‘Good!’
The pulling device was used. The Blade Aiming at the Gods fell off and was replaced by the Enlightenment Blade. Grid equipped himself with the flaming black sword, while the God Hands and Blade Aiming at the Gods moved around him.
‘If I make good use of defense magic, I have a chance to counterattack.’ Damian tried not to be daunted by the fraudulent abilities Grid was displaying.
The God Hands rushed toward Damian. Damian was aware he would be defeated if he allowed even one hit from the hammer, so he summoned a number of small light shields in the air to neutralize the God Hands as much as possible. The Blade Aiming at the Gods was blown away. Damian wouldn’t allow himself to be hit by the same move again. He showed a gap as he twisted his hips and swung his sword.
“Drop.” Grid used the skill that had the shortest activation time among Pagma’s Swordsmanship. He didn’t take it easy. In order to show his respect to Damian, Grid would fight seriously. This was his power. Damian blocked it with a huge square shield. It was as if he expected Grid to attack, so he used the shield to block Drop without even moving his eyes.
[The Square Divine Light Shield has absorbed the powerful shock!]
[The durability of the Square Divine Light Shield has decreased by 67.]
[Your left hand holding a shield has been paralyzed temporarily.]
[You have overcome the paralysis with your high status resistance.]
“Kuk…!”
As expected, a scam was a scam. The durability of the shield designed for defense had been reduced by two digits, making it questionable if the shield was doing its job properly. A flash of light emerged from the small magic circle above Damian’s shoulder after countering Grid’s offensive. The flashes struck the God Hands and the Blade Aiming at the Gods continuously, making the God Hands stiffen.
On the other hand, the Blade Aiming at the Gods moved smoothly and cut Damian, interrupting the illusion that Damian was in a 1 vs 1 match instead of a 1 vs 2 match. There was a bigger problem.
“100,000 Army Massacre Sword.”
Damian was a powerhouse, but this was his mistake. As the years passed by, the gap between Damian and Grid hadn’t narrowed. The reason wasn’t because his efforts were lacking or because he had the wrong mindset. The problem was that Grid was the Hero King. As Damian became stronger, he stimulated Grid’s fighting energy to a greater extent. Grid was able to accumulate fighting energy faster because of Damian’s strength.
[The Square Divine Light Shield has absorbed the powerful shock!]
[The durability of the Square Divine Light Shield has decreased by 35.]
[The durability of the Square Divine Light Shield has decreased by 31.]
[The durability of the Square Divine Light Shield has decreased by 39.]
[The durability of the Square Divine Light Shield has decreased by 20.]
[The durability of the Square Divine Light Shield has decreased…]
[Warning! The durability of the Square Divine Light Shield has reached its limit!]
Grid unleashed an onslaught without stopping.
[The Square Divine Light Shield has been destroyed!]
The huge square shield which had protected Damian from numerous threats so far cracked and then turned to gray.
“Nani?! Pope’s Charity! Goddess’ Protection!” Damian tried simultaneously casting a healing skill and a shield skill.
“Linked Kill.” Grid’s powerful attack dealt a critical blow to Damian who had just lost his shield. Damian’s health fell down to 1 point, and his defeat in the spar was announced.
“Pant… Pant… Pant…!” Damian’s face became shadowed as he was injured. He felt ashamed because of his terrible defeat and wondered if he was qualified to be Grid’s colleague. At that moment…
[You have heard Goddess Rebecca’s warm voice.]
-You, my agent, need to become stronger.
Damian’s unique class of Goddess’ Agent encountered a change.
[The goddess of light is the pinnacle of all gods and thinks that you, as the Goddess’ Agent, also needs to be at the pinnacle.]
[The goddess has witnessed your many defeats against the same opponent and feels terrible enough to make a trial.]
[The class quest ‘To Truly become the Goddess’ Agent…’ has been created.]
“Ah?”
What conditions had he met unknowingly? It might not be Grid’s intention, but shouldn’t Damian be thankful to Grid?
“Good job. It was really fun to fight against you.”
“…”
Damian finally looked up from where he had been sitting without grabbing Grid’s outstretched hand. He saw Grid with the sun behind him. There wasn’t pity but pride in Grid’s eyes as he looked at Damian. He had beat Damian easily, but Grid acknowledged Damian instead of ignoring or being disappointed in him.
Damian’s grip on the grass strengthened. Grid looked like a person who had fallen from the sky. Every time, this person was a great help to Damian. Grid was like a person who only existed for him.
“You… You truly…” Damian couldn’t explain this feeling. He was unable to endure the surging emotions, and his eyes reddened.
‘Crying all of a sudden?’ Grid was at a loss for words as tears filled the eyes of the beautiful young man. “W-What is it? Ah, I’m sorry. I will naturally reimburse you for the shield. I will make a far better shield. So, please calm down…” Grid couldn’t finish speaking.
Damian suddenly stood up and hugged him tightly. It was a hug from a pretty man…
“W-What?” Feeling uncomfortable, Grid tried to push Damian off.
Still, Damian clung to him like a leech. “Daisuki! Grid-sama aishiteru!!”
“L-Let go!”
To think that Damian was confessing his love while hugging Grid… as hundreds of Rebecca followers watched, including players…? Grid felt bitter. He was seriously worried that Damian was deliberately messing with him due to the loss of the shield.
That evening…
[Pope Damian’s confession of love to the Overgeared King!]
[Damian’s worship of Grid originated from private feelings…?]
Media outlets around the world started to release unpleasant articles. In particular, the women’s magazines which enjoyed gossip featured these articles. Grid was an undisputed world star as every move he made was turned into a story. He was the best star who had been popular ever since he appeared in public!
It’s just that…
“Dammit. How annoying.” Grid himself felt very uncomfortable. The number of members in the Grid Anti-Fans Cafe was skyrocketing due to the rumors that he was a garbage playboy.
‘Well, whatever. I was able to figure out various things from the spar with Damian, so it isn’t a loss.’
Grid decided to hold off on disposing of the hammer and Blade Aiming at the Gods for the time being. It was difficult to abandon the exponential rise in production ability, and the versatility of the blade wasn’t that lacking compared to the God Hands. He had another problem to worry about in the future.
“How can I secure more pavranium?”
It was clear that the more pavranium he obtained, the stronger he could become. Was there a way to gain more pavranium?
“…Ah?” Grid suddenly thought of his clone in hell.
Chapter 898
Chapter 898
Grid was reminded of the 41st island on the Behen Archipelago. The small island had given him a clear and succinct mission—to fight against himself and win.
‘The clone…’
At the time, it had reproduced all of Grid’s information. The clone had used the same skills based on Grid’s stats, had better combat abilities, and ha
d been able to fuse sword dances. He had worn the same items as Grid and also had the God Hands, but his use of the God Hands was much better than Grid’s. Unlike Grid who couldn’t focus on giving delicate commands to the God Hands, the clone had inherited the super intelligence of the super named NPC and could completely control the God Hands. In any case, Grid had somehow beat the clone.
‘The clone has God Hands, so I can secure more pavranium by taking his God Hands.’ Grid was able to come to this conclusion. In fact, until relatively recently, Grid had forgotten about his clone. He had never dreamed that the clone he had killed on the 41st island would still be alive. However, Yura then told him that his clone was in hell. It seemed Grid’s dark-skinned version was looking for him. Grid was able to instantly realize that the clone had died in Blackening mode and fallen to hell, surviving until the present.
‘The reason why Belial was surprised to see me was probably because of the clone.’
It was normal to fall to hell when dying in Blackening mode and then get expelled from hell when Blackening ended. Still, it was presumed that the clone had been in hell for years.
‘Why?’
Grid didn’t receive an answer to his question. It was virtually impossible for a player to understand every game setting. He just needed to accept and cope with the current situation.
“Hrmm…” Grid tapped on the table while thinking. It was because his clone was in hell that he desired to maintain the Blacksmith Hammer to Go Against the Gods and the Blade Aiming at the Gods. He wanted to steal the clone’s God Hands as soon as possible.
‘Of course, there is no guarantee that the God Hands will drop when I kill the clone.’
At present, he needed new God Hands. To be exact, he needed to secure more pavranium from the clone. So, it was worth trying. There was a problem though.
‘I don’t know the path to move to hell…’
In the past, Grid had been defeated by his clone several times. To be honest, the clone had been much stronger than Grid. He might have had the same stats as Grid, but the clone had the artificial intelligence of a super named NPC and had displayed an overwhelming combat ability. However, Grid had won in the end. Based on Item Creation, he had produced the Motley Flail and won by purely relying on luck.
‘I have become stronger over the last few years.’
His skill levels had gone beyond the clone’s skills. Grid had also gained God’s Command, the titles of First King, and Hero King, as well as the powers of several named bosses such as Belial and Astaroth onto his rune. There were also the goddess’ blessings which he obtained this time and the special event that happened when he made six myth rated items. It was true that Grid was currently completely different from when he entered the 41st island. Grid believed that if he went to hell and met the clone now, he would be able to overcome the clone.
‘I think I can win even if I fight with one hand.’
Of course, this belief only lasted a moment.
‘Ah… Wait?’
Didn’t Yura receive a fatal blow with a single strike? Would the clone from a few years ago be able to win against the current Yura?
‘No.’
Was the clone from a few years ago strong enough to embarrass the Great Demon Belial?
‘That isn’t possible.’
At this moment, Grid perceived it clearly. His clone had also grown stronger over the past few years.
‘Maybe. In the worst case scenario…’
The clone might be affected by Grid’s growth. In fact, the clone might’ve also gained God’s Command when Grid got it, and he might have gotten fighting energy when Grid became the Hero King. It was a possibility which couldn’t be ruled out when recalling that the clone had the characteristic of duplicating Grid’s appearance and abilities.
‘Even so, I can fight him.’
Grid didn’t shrink back. Even if the clone was stronger than him, Grid believed this.
‘I can somehow win if I use the Motley Flail again. Okay, don’t think too hard.’
In the end, Grid planned to rely on luck. He wasn’t a fool just because he didn’t prepare any measures. Instead, he was calmly grasping the situation. What measures could be prepared against an unknown enemy who couldn’t be evaluated? It was a waste of time.
“Okay…” Grid made a decision and rose from his seat. He would go to hell and hunt the clone.
-Yura, take me to hell.
Yura was embarrassed by the random whisper. -Are you thinking of fighting against your clone?
-Yes. I can’t leave him alone. I have to get rid of this cheap shit.
Grid wasn’t just greedy for the pavranium. The clone was derived from Grid, and it might be possible for him to influence Grid one day if Grid left the clone alone. This influence might be in a bad direction. As such, Grid’s mission was to hunt the clone. It couldn’t be helped when he didn’t know the clone was alive, but Grid couldn’t stay still now that he knew about the clone’s presence.
-…..
Yura was speechless for a moment, but it wasn’t because she was impressed with Grid’s determination.
‘Shit…’ Yura was called the world’s most beautiful woman. Countless people praised her, and men tried to look good to her. Everyone was cautious with their words and gestures in front of her but not Grid. Grid had said the word ‘shit’ without hesitation. It became clear that he considered Yura as a comfortable friend, instead of a woman.
“Hah…”
-Yura? Did you go somewhere? Why aren’t you saying anything? Ah, is it impossible for you to take another person to hell?
-…No. I can take up to two other people. It would be a total of three people, including me.
-Three people?
Grid flinched. He said he was cleaning up shit, but it would be a lie to say he wasn’t afraid. After all, he would receive a death penalty if the clone was stronger than him, so he would rather fight with his colleagues. Of course, one person came to Grid’s mind.
-If you can bring one more person, let’s take Euphemina.
The only player that Grid perceived as stronger than himself was Duplicator Euphemina. Yura agreed, -It is a good idea. We can count on her.
Unlike Grid, Yura could objectively evaluate Euphemina. She wasn’t afraid of Euphemina and had a solid grasp on her power. Yura didn’t disagree that Euphemina was the strongest. She knew that Euphemina was one of the greatest players whenever she copied the strongest skills. Moreover, she could use Mumud’s magic.
‘If the three of us join forces, there is no chance for the clone to win…’
Yura had watched the Grid vs Damian duel in the Vatican as it was relayed through OGC, the world’s best gaming station. The media and public were amazed at how Grid had overpowered Damian easily, but Yura knew that Grid hadn’t used all his power against Damian.
‘It has been like this since the 3rd National Competition.’
Grid never exposed his true power against a player. It was the same when dealing with Kraugel. Due to this, Yura believed that Grid’s power was greater than what she imagined. If Grid combined forces with Euphemina who was the strongest conditionally, Yura believed they could overcome the clone. However, there was a problem.
-Is Euphemina replying to you?
-…?
***
[A whisper has arrived, but you can’t hear it.]
“…”
Euphemina’s Skill Duplication wasn’t universal. There was another realistic problem apart from the issues of having a limited number of times she could duplicate and the overload caused by overuse. Her Skill Duplication could duplicate a skill at 100%, but an unexpected penalty might occur. The master level Stealth that Euphemina was currently using had the realistic penalty of ‘concentration.’ She needed to focus in order to maintain the stealth. This meant that executing high speed movement, casting skills, and having conversations were forbidden since they all interfered with her concentration. It was an unreasonable penalty considering the
fact that assassins who mastered the skill could move at high speeds, cast skills, and converse with other people while maintaining the stealth.
“…” Still, Euphemina was calm.
After being a Duplicator for so many years, she was familiar with the penalties that occurred. She naturally accepted the penalty for maintaining the stealth since she wasn’t an assassin.
[A whisper has arrived, but you can’t hear it.]
Euphemina ignored the continuously rising messages. Rather than feeling curious toward whoever was whispering to her, she was more focused on what was happening in front of her eyes.
“Kik… Kikik…”
It was already the third one. For some reason, Agnus was visiting the workshops of accessory makers in every country. Yet by the time he reached them, the accessory maker would already be dead and the guards blamed Agnus.
“H-Hik…!” The last surviving guard dropped the spear in his hand. Yet Agnus didn’t show him mercy. Agnus’ blade pierced the heart of the young guard. “…Kik.”
Deep in the alley, Agnus stopped after losing all trackers.
“…Lu…na. Luna…”
Stagger. Stagger.
His body, mind, and spirit were like his empty eyes. He seemed exhausted. His mouth only repeated one name. No, Euphemina knew it was a nickname.
‘Luna is Caroline…’
Euphemina was an unofficial ranker who was not on the leaderboards, but her information network and resourcefulness had allowed her to be at the top since the beginning of Satisfy. She couldn’t be unaware of the information related to Agnus—the target she must deal with to clear her class change quest. That’s why her heart ached even more.
‘Why?’
Why did that man draw his lover, who was already dead in reality, in the game? She became terribly sad as she watched Agnus and felt cold from seeing the madness that covered up his sorrow. He looked like a huge beast baring its teeth, but he was actually small in front of reality.
“Lu…na.”
Flop! It was a journey without any breaks. Agnus had fought countless enemies while feeling in despair and was already at his limit. Like a sand castle meant to break down from the beginning, he collapsed. Agnus fell down and was unable to get up.