by Park Saenal
‘If the Tzedakah hadn’t contacted me…’
Wouldn’t he still be a village blacksmith, squatting in the corner of a smithy? Then notification windows flashed in front of Grid.
[The daily access time is over.]
[Excessive gaming can adversely affect health. You will be logged out of the game for your protection.]
Grid was Shin Youngwoo. Until a few years ago, Shin Youngwoo had been small and insignificant when compared to Grid.
“Let’s wash up.”
Now, Shin Youngwoo was Grid. He had a body that was hardened by exercise, a spirit that wasn’t easily shaken, and a palace-like house that greeted him.
“You worked hard today.”
He also had his precious family.
Beep.
“I cooked, so you should eat,” his sister, Sehee, said while pressing the disinfection and deodorization button that came with the Comet Group’s diamond capsule. She knew her brother’s schedule and was ready with towels and a change of clothes.
“Thank you..?” Youngwoo’s face stiffened as he received the clothes from his sister. It was due to Sehee’s angry eyes. Her eyes were as fierce as a heated furnace. “W-What is it?”
“Do you need to ask? I hate people like you.”
“What?” Youngwoo made a really confused expression.
Then Sehee explained to him, “I saw on TV. The enemy was so strong that all the 10 meritorious retainers fought. Why didn’t you call me?”
Sehee’s ID in Satisfy was Ruby. She was the Saintess—a powerful presence that supported her allies by exerting divine power different from ordinary priests. Sehee was very sad. “You should’ve taken me as well. I would’ve been helpful.”
“The opponent was too strong. You would’ve been in danger… Hmm, what… you? Why are you so confident? Your level is low.”
“Hah? Don’t you know that I am level 270? I can clear a vampire city with just me and Yerim.”
“The two of you can clear a vampire city? Pffft! Puhahat!! You should bluff less exaggeratedly!”
“I-It is real. Of course, it isn’t a city with a true blood vampire. It is one that you have already cleared…”
“Yes, yes. I’m going to wash up now.” Grid laughed hard enough to tear up. He clearly didn’t believe Sehee’s words. It was nonsense that two players who weren’t even level 300 could clear a vampire city, even if the true blood vampires were gone. Apart from Chris and Yura, most of the 10 meritorious retainers had to clear the vampire cities in a party.
‘Nobody has unlimited resources, even a Saintess. It might be enough of a damage dealer and tanker supports her, but it is impossible with Yerim alone.’
“I’m telling the truth! You idiot!”
“An idiot is calling someone else an idiot~?” Grid stuck out his tongue to tease his sister and headed to the bathroom.
Ttiring~
Then on the TV hanging on the living room wall, the notification of a new email was displayed. The sender was the S.A Group. The title of the message was the ‘Demon King Project.’
“That idiot… Huh? What is this?”
The TV’s Internet was linked to Youngwoo’s email address. Since all types of broadcasting requests arrived and it was hard for him to manage alone, he often asked Sehee to handle them. Thus, Sehee didn’t feel any hesitation in reading the Demon King’s Project email and was shocked.
“…Being the demon king without people knowing? Hmm, it is fun. This is great. The rewards are enormous…”
It was an exciting project with the concept of making Piaro, Asmophel, Mercedes, and Noll as the demon king’s four heavenly kings. Sehee reviewed the email positively and checked the date. “It is only three months away.”
The 4th National Competition was arriving sooner than she expected. Of course, Youngwoo thought the same. “This suggestion, I will accept it.”
Shin Youngwoo stood under the stream of water in the shower. There was a dark smile on his face as he checked his email using the TV in his bathroom.
‘It is on the condition that the demon king’s four heavenly kings equip the items that I make.’
He could use the ‘creation’ skill freely since the National Competition’s server was now separate from the main server. In return for the harsh condition of facing hundreds of players alone, Youngwoo planned to demand for the strongest minerals such as pavranium and divine stone. He thought this would be a great opportunity for him.
Chapter 910
After the battle between Grid and the clone was over, former Red Knight Singuled talked to the Murray King. “Thank you for your help in the meantime. I won’t forget the grace that Your Majesty has shown me until the day I die.”
“…”
The young king was sorry that Singuled was leaving now. Singuled was a guest of more than 10 years; someone the king didn’t want to leave. He wanted Singuled to stay in the kingdom to fight for him and his people.
“Yes.
“Take care.”
The Murray king didn’t speak his thoughts. He recalled the day when he first met Singuled, who was injured at the time, and tried to smile as gently as possible. As the king of a small nation, he knew he wasn’t qualified to keep Singuled forever.
“…”
Singuled’s heart warmed as he looked at the king. He was abandoned by the nation that he devoted his life to. He suffered damage to his mind and body and wandered the continent until the Murray king rescued him. The king was a virtuous man. Once he learned that Singuled was one of the Red Knights that had persecuted the Murray Kingdom, the king didn’t blame him and claimed that, “it was in the past.”
Singuled vividly remembered a conversation he had with the king,
“Your Majesty, I will leave once my wounds recover.”
“Why?”
“The fact that I am staying here will be known to the empire and you and your people will suffer.”
“There isn’t anything to be discovered. All we have to do is keep our mouths shut.”
“The empire has bribed nobles from nations all over with their tremendous power and vast resources in the past. The empire will surely find me in the Murray Kingdom…”
“No. My subordinates don’t cling to money and power. We are united in trust.”
“…”
Singuled thought this person was a young king who wasn’t familiar with the cruel world. How could hundreds of nobles, each with different ideals and ambitions, come together in trust? Singuled thought that the empire would soon discover his location, and thought it would be better to leave before the Murray Kingdom was damaged. However, 11 years passed, and the empire was still unable to discover his location. Surprisingly, no one came forward with information on Singuled.
The Murray Kingdom was truly united. No matter their status, the people were loyal to the king and loved their country. This truly was a wonderful country. It was entirely unlike the empire, where treachery was familiar and conspiracies frequent.
“…Your Majesty.” Before he left, Singuled made a promise to the king, “If I am alive after finishing my matters, I will return again. The Murray Kingdom is now my home.”
He needed to understand the process behind his abandonment and seek retribution. It was either the fall of the empire or Singuled’s death. These were the only possible endings. Nevertheless, the decline of the empire that had dominated the continent for hundreds of years was impossible to imagine.
The king wanted to hold onto Singuled, but he knew Singuled’s wishes and had to cheer for him. He recalled the black-haired king he watched from the palace walls and prayed.
‘Overgeared King. Please protect Singuled with your valor.’
In fact, the Murray King hadn’t been happy about the birth of the new Overgeared Kingdom. The existence of the Overgeared Kingdom would overturn the existing power structure and provide the empire with an excuse for war. The continent would be swept up in a wave of war because of the Overgeared Kingdom.
Yet what was the reality? The Overgeared Kingdom was stronger than everyone expected and built a more robust power structure. The momentum of the empire decreased and the continent welcomed the Overgeared Kingdom. The small countries who suffocated under the tyranny of the empire were given room to breathe.
“Send an envoy to the Overgeared Kingdom.”
“Do you plan to claim losses caused by this battle?”
“No.” The king conveyed his thoughts to his subordinates after Singuled left. “The Murray Kingdom will stop being a tributary of the empire and become a friend of the Overgeared Kingdom.”
Baron Cudan, who went to the Overgeared Kingdom’s founding ceremony in the past, had made this argument:
A single soldier of the Overgeared Kingdom was stronger than the many knights of other kingdoms. Their strength was simply unimaginable. The Overgeared Kingdom would surely grow into a great power and they should thus consider maintaining a good relationship with the Overgeared Kingdom.
However, Baron Cudan’s claims were so absurd that the king and nobles couldn’t make a decision at the time. Now the story was different. This time, the Murray king heard about the Overgeared soldier, who fought with Singuled, and personally witnessed the fighting power of the Overgeared King and nobles who turned the capital into a mess.
The Overgeared Kingdom was a new hope.
***
‘The atmosphere is worse than expected.’
Haster was accompanying Asmophel. He followed Asmophel and was informed of the locations of the former Red Knights. This was a task Asmophel was doing for Grid and the Overgeared Kingdom, but Haster wasn’t a volunteer. There was no reason for Haster to help the Overgeared Kingdom. He didn’t feel any obligation. Haster was helping Asmophel for his own reasons.
He had to meet a former Red Knight and win in order to clear his class quest. Haster had to clear this quest to open all the skills of a Red Sage. The difficulty was grasping the talents of the former Red Knights since there were so many variables. That’s why he used Asmophel. He would induce Asmophel and the former Red Knight to face each other first, allowing him to identify the opponent’s skills. Eventually, he would challenge Asmophel.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t easy to face a former Red Knight.
“…”
Asmophel, Haster, and Singuled. The atmosphere of the three people walking along the road was awkward. Asmophel walked facing forward while Singuled looked at Asmophel like he was dirt. The atmosphere was so gloomy and forbidding that Haster would be rejected if he asked for a duel with Singuled.
‘We can fight if I just attack him, but… I don’t want to force Master’s colleagues to hate me. I will take it slowly. By the way, the Overgeared Kingdom…’
Asmophel said he would take Singuled to the Overgeared Kingdom and then look for the rest of the knights. This forced Haster to comply with him.
The Overgeared Kingdom. What did the first kingdom built by a player look like? Was it as vibrant as he saw in the media? Or had the press been exaggerating? Haster had spent seven years in Satisfy in the mountains, so he was curious. He felt excited like a child. It was natural.
Haster was going on his ‘first adventure’ with Asmophel. Yes, Haster had only been training for the past few years. He never experienced different things unlike the other Five Miracles such as Grid, Kraugel, and Agnus.
Thus, it was painful. Think about it. It was a terrible hell to repeat the same thing every day, 365 days a year for seven years. The other Five Miracles were exposed to all types of stimuli and excitement while Haster endured training every day. He repeated the same routine every day without any stimulation.
The pleasure of playing the game… He didn’t feel it. In fact, the past few years were so hard that he wanted to give up a few times. Nevertheless, Haster was patient and could become a Red Sage.
‘I don’t think my efforts were particularly difficult compared to Grid and Kraugel. They just wouldn’t have been as happy. Hardships accompany effort and everyone had their own difficulties.’
Haster didn’t belittle others to build himself up, despite his pride. In fact, he was impressed with Grid’s skills. He watched Grid fighting against the clone and acknowledged him as a top player.
‘Grid is completely different from last year’s National Competition. His growth rate is unmatched.’
30%, no, 20%.
‘That isn’t it either. It is 10%.’
This was the probability of Haster winning if he fought Grid. Haster judged that it was difficult for him to beat the current Grid.
‘Of course, this is if he showed everything he was capable of during the fight against the clone.’
Haster got a sneak peek and knew that Grid hadn’t used all his power against the clone. Yes, it was like the PvP finals of the 3rd National Competition…
“Hey.”
“Yes.”
Haster, who was walking thoughtfully, immediately replied. Singuled was looking suspiciously at him. “What are you laughing about alone?”
“…Ah, was I laughing?” He had become too excited from the long-awaited stimulus. Haster calmed down and replied, “I think I’ve found a new rival.”
There were numerous pro gamers in history and those with great achievements became legends. The old Korean pro gamer who was one of the greatest legends was admired by the Overgeared Kingdom’s god of killing. However, there was no eternal winner among the legends. The respected and loved legends had tasted frustration and defeat.
Haster was different. During his career, Haster never experienced defeat, hardships or frustration. His reign was only victorious. In FPS games, he was a myth beyond the legends.
‘Of course.’
The presence of Kraugel, who was situated on one side of Haster’s mind, gradually faded before being replaced with Grid.
‘I will continue the myth in Satisfy.’
Haster vowed to become stronger and, one day, surpass Grid. His purpose wasn’t to disrupt Grid’s authority. He just wanted to challenge his record. He didn’t realize after defeating Kraugel relatively easily. Contrary to popular belief, Kraugel was a person familiar with defeat and he knew that defeat was a nutrient for growth.
Why? Haster misunderstood Kraugel as a genius of the same type as himself.
***
The grave of the three-eyed monsters. Kraugel wiped out hundreds of monsters and opened his eyes after a short moment of meditation.
“10%.”
Red Sage Haster. The giant barrier that had blocked Kraugel for the past few months had been completely broken. The respawned three-eyed monsters couldn’t handle the stone blades that rose from the ground and died. It was an instant annihilation.
The fallen sky was slowly but surely recovering.
Chapter 911
“Knight of Destruction Singuled, I greet you.”
“…?”
This person knew his name, which had become a taboo and was forgotten? Singuled was bewildered when he arrived at the Overgeared Kingdom with Asmophel and Asmophel’s friend. The person who came forward was somehow familiar. The deep eyes that seemed like they could see through him… They were unusual.
“…Mercedes?” It seemed to fit. She had long become a lady, but the more he looked, the more vivid the memories became. The girl who was Captain Piaro’s aide—wasn’t she a person of loyalty? Why was she in the Overgeared Kingdom? Confused, Singuled doubted his memories.
“I am honored that you remember.” The white-haired beauty didn’t deny it; she acknowledged that she was Mercedes.
Singuled was furious. “Dammit, that Asmophel…! It is a trap!”
His eyes became as sharp like a wolf’s, and he pulled out his sword. He had consistently been gathering information on the empire while staying in the Murray Kingdom. So, he naturally knew that Mercedes, Piaro’s aide, had become the First Knight of the Red Knights. Singuled misunderstood that Mercedes had come to arrest him and even doubted the relationship between the empire
and the Overgeared Kingdom.
“The empire asked for a truce with the Overgeared Kingdom? A truce?! Hah! It is just an act, and the Overgeared Kingdom is actually a tributary of the empire!” Singuled gave off killing intent as he shouted.
“For your reference, I am currently serving the Overgeared King.”
“What?”
Mercedes’ ridiculous explanation restrained Singuled’s killing intent. Asmophel stated to the confused and hesitant Singuled, “It is the truth. She is no longer a Red Knight.”
“Do you expect me to believe such nonsense?”
There were numerous stories of Mercedes fighting for the empire. Singuled had heard these stories from within the Murray Kingdom. Yet the best hound of the empire left it to serve the Overgeared Kingdom? It was impossible.
“It is true.”
“C-Captain!”
Great Swordsman Piaro, who Singuled trusted the most, appeared to give weight to Mercedes’ claims.
“Singuled, you are pretty old now.”
“…Captain!”
Singuled no longer felt any doubts. He couldn’t control his tears as he embraced Piaro. The previous Knight of Destruction, who slaughtered every enemy of the empire and was an object of terror, became a mild sheep in front of Piaro.
“You have experienced many hardships. You really had a hard time.”
They were both middle-aged colleagues now, and Piaro knew how badly Singuled had suffered as he had been in the same situation.
“Captain! Captain!! Sob! Sob sob sob!”
Piaro watched the sunset with red eyes while Singuled cried in his arms. Asmophel looked at the ground and couldn’t raise his head. Mercedes’ heart ached as she witnessed the sadness of the old heroes.
***
[The goddess’s blessing has been used.]
[(Fighting against the Gods) Legendary Blacksmith’s Craftsmanship Skill has been enhanced.]
[(Fighting against the Gods) Legendary Blacksmith’s Craftsmanship Skill has evolved into Genuine - (Fighting against the Gods) Legendary Blacksmith’s Craftsmanship Skill.]