Overgeared

by Park Saenal

  The holy sword questioned the stiff Grid, -Did you visit here because of Braham’s soul that you are harboring?

  “Can you feel Braham’s soul?”

  -At first, I couldn’t detect his magic power. I didn’t think that a soul could radiate such arrogant energy.

  The holy sword seemed to be smiling. The present situation was pleasant.

  “Is that why you are guarding this place?”

  -You guessed correctly. I am guarding Braham’s body, which is preserved in the glacier dungeon under the Sword Grave.

  At this moment, Braham’s thunderous voice rang through Grid’s mind, -The dog of Rebecca is trying to control my body, which is in his hands!

  ‘Calm down, Braham. Didn’t he say he was guarding it?’

  -Guarding it from me! It is to prevent me from getting back my body! That Pagma who is eviler than a great demon—he is bothering me even after death!

  “…”

  Braham’s anger and anxiety were too strong. His soul fragment was small and weak and couldn’t afford the pressure from his emotions. It was dangerous. Grid decided to speed up with the quest in order to calm Braham down. He moved closer to the sword. The information of the holy sword was analyzed using Pagma’s Eyes.

  [Sword Guarding the Grave]

  [Rating: Legendary

  Durability: ??? Attack Power: 8,395

  Divine Power: ??? Defense: 2,029

  * A legendary-grade ego is nestled inside.

  *???

  *???

  * The passive skill ‘Pope Who Lost Faith’ has been generated.

  ……

  ……

  It is a work left by the legendary blacksmith Pagma in his last years. It is a treasure that will be remembered in hundreds, even thousands, of years.

  The Sword Guarding the Grave is imprinted with the ego of 5th Pope Franz and exercises his own will.

  * Unavailable item.]

  ‘Pagma’s last years…’

  The pieces left behind by Pagma varied depending on the time of production. Pagma’s earlier works were less complete than Grid’s works while Pagma’s works from his middle years were more or less equal to Grid’s, and the works of the Pagma’s latter years were far beyond Grid’s. It was the power of experience and age. The works were at a height that Grid would reach eventually since he was acknowledged by God Hexetia.

  “Please guide me to Braham’s body,” Grid asked politely. He didn’t know when Franz had become a sword—if he was forced by Pagma and how many years he had been like this. Grid had many things he wanted to ask, but he first had to find Braham’s body.

  Unexpectedly, the holy sword was uncooperative. -Isn’t my role guarding the glacier dungeon from invaders? How can I just let you in?

  “Invader?” Grid was upset.

  Didn’t the holy sword know that Grid was related to Pagma and that he had Braham’s soul? Why was he treating Grid as an invader and stopping him from entering? Grid frowned and proudly introduced himself, “I’m the one who inherited Pagma’s skill, and I’m protecting Braham’s soul. Why are you treating me as an invader? Aren’t I the only one eligible to enter the glacier dungeon?”

  -You have inherited Pagma’s skill, but that doesn’t mean you have his will. It is also unknown if you are protecting Braham’s soul or holding it captive.

  [A new hidden quest has occurred!]

  [Proof]

  [★ Hidden Quest ★

  Pass the test of the Sword Guarding the Grave!

  Quest Clear Conditions: Pass the test.

  Quest Reward: Qualification to enter the glacier dungeon.]

  ‘A test?’

  It was a sword with over 8,000 attack power—a work that was produced by Pagma in his later years and had the soul of a former pope imprinted in it. Was it possible to fight against this fearsome sword when the fraudulent effects couldn’t even be seen?

  ‘Still, I have to fight.’ Grid gulped and pulled out the Enlightenment Sword.

  -Now I will give the first question! What was Pagma’s cause?

  “…Eh? W-World peace?”

  -Ding dong daeng! That is the correct answer!

  “…”

  -The second question! What idea did Pagma consider most important?

  “H-Humanitarian ideal of using blacksmithing to benefit other people?”

  -Ding dong daeng! That is the correct answer! Then this is the third question. What is Braham’s identity?

  ‘Braham’s identity…’ Grid’s dumbfounded eyes calmed down at this question. He replied in a voice that was as deep as the look in his eyes, “He was a vampire, a human, and a legendary great magician. He was a man who was praised as the Duke of Wisdom despite not reaching the truth.”

  Additionally…

  “He was a man who hated Yatan, the god who expelled and cursed his mother. He was also a person who was betrayed by his only friend.”

  -You… Braham’s soul shook. He could feel it as Grid spoke in a clear voice. This wasn’t the trivial emotion called compassion. At this moment, Grid had a complete understanding of Braham. Perhaps he was the only one in the world who did.

  -Great. It is the right answer. The voice of the holy sword, which was bright and excited enough to feel frivolous, calmed down. -Finally, the last question. Do you sympathize with Pagma?

  Was it because he felt that the mood of the holy sword had become strange…? Grid was wary and answered truthfully, “I understand him, but I don’t think his actions are right. I will never betray a friend.”

  -I see.

  Was he mistaken about the sword’s mood? The attitude of the holy sword was gentle. The sword rotated twice from the left to right, and the blade embedded more deeply in the ground. The terrain of the Sword Grave started to change. The center of the plains rose like a hill and turned into a form suitable to be called a grave, revealing a firmly closed iron door hidden at the bottom of the hill. The true appearance of the Sword Grave, which the Skunk Expedition Group hadn’t been able to uncover for half a month, was revealed in just a few moments.

  -Braham, I can’t hear your voice, but can you hear me?

  The iron door slowly opened. A chill emerged from the open iron gate and descended the hill, freezing the ground.

  [★Hidden Quest ★ ‘Proof’ has been cleared.]

  The holy sword conveyed the truth, -Braham, Pagma sincerely regretted betraying you and hurting you. After protecting the Behen Archipelago from the great demons, the first place he came was to the glacier dungeon where he buried your body. Pagma anticipated that one day you would regain your body and be resurrected. He made this Sword Grave in the hope that your body would be safe. Then he summoned my soul and asked me to protect you.

  -Shut up, shut up, shut up!

  -It wasn’t an act to ask for your forgiveness. Pagma knew that the sins against you could never be forgiven. He might’ve just wanted to reduce his loathing toward himself.

  -Shut up!

  -Check your body. I hope that someday you will be resurrected. Hell and Marie Rose, the Hwan Kingdom and the gods… The problems that Pagma couldn’t solve, maybe you…

  -Shut up!

  “Braham…” Grid held his chest. Braham’s soul was incomplete and in disorder. Grid was afraid that he might vanish.

  -Pagma’s Descendant. The holy sword was saying goodbye. -Based on your attitude toward Braham right now, you are the opposite of Pagma. I personally want to cheer you on. Now, enter the dungeon. The door will soon close.

  “I will see you next time.”

  -Yes. I will guard this place until Braham is resurrected. Please come back whenever you need to.

  This was karma—the karma of the foolish pope who weakened the church instead of regarding Rebecca’s Daughters as disposable tools. Franz, who had been a cold sword for hundreds of years, had never once regretted his choice of having Pagma seal the three artifacts.

  The iron door closed once Grid entered the glacier dungeon. The hill once again
became a plains and 4,179 swords stood silently.

  ***

  Was the human language that lousy? Grid had this thought when he witnessed the man with white hair trapped in the ice. He quickly realized that it was impossible to express the beauty of the man in the ice with his heart and intellect.

  Braham’s soul was stabilizing.

  -It is safe.

  “I’m glad.”

  -You look even more like a squid after I can see myself again.

  “…” Grid couldn’t refute these words. He even felt grateful. Based on Braham’s body in the ice, Grid wasn’t a squid. Calling him a squid would be overrating himself. (TL: squid is often used to call someone ugly in South Korea)

  [★Hidden Quest ★ ‘Braham’s Request’ has been cleared.]

  [Intelligence has increased by 50 as a quest clear reward.]

  [You can’t learn any new spells in your current state.]

  [The quest clear reward has given a new hidden quest.]

  [Pagma’s Arrangement]

  [★ Hidden Quest ★

  The reason why Pagma left his book in this world is for the sake of his old friend, Braham. Braham knows the value of pavranium. Pagma knew that Braham would seek out Pagma’s Descendant and ask them to make the Vessel of the Soul.

  He is deeply grateful for you bringing Braham here and will give you a gift.]

  [★Hidden Quest ★ ‘Pagma’s Arrangement’ has been cleared.]

  [The hidden piece skill ‘Mineral Creation’ has been acquired as a quest clear reward.]

  -Grid.

  “Yes.”

  -I don’t intend to forgive Pagma. I will hate him forever. If we ever meet again in hell, I will kill him with my own hands.

  “You do that.”

  ‘Perhaps this was what Pagma wanted,’ Grid swallowed back these words.

  Chapter 939

  [A thousand-year-old chill has penetrated deep into your bones.]

  [Your heart is frozen.]

  The space itself was the last safeguard. The glacier dungeon, which resealed as soon as Grid entered, didn’t tolerate any living thing.

  ‘There is a reason why Pagma selected this place.’

  The possibility was infinitely small, but if the Sword Grave were discovered by robbers, Braham’s body would still be safe.

  [You have resisted.]

  [Your body temperature is maintained due to the effect of Valhalla of Infinite Affection.]

  ‘Pagma…’ Grid felt a sense of compassion as he watched the notification window. The feelings that Pagma had when he constructed the Sword Grave would’ve been similar to Khan’s when he made Valhalla. However, Pagma’s heart wasn’t conveyed to Braham due to the great sin Pagma had committed. After Braham confirmed that his body was safe, he only felt relieved and still hated Pagma.

  Of course, Pagma would’ve known it would be like this. He must have known that he would never be forgiven by his friend whom he had killed with his own hands.

  ‘He must’ve been lonely.’

  Pagma had died with pain and regrets. Grid had no intention of defending or understanding Pagma, but he couldn’t help feeling a bit bitter. However, these thoughts only lasted a short time. Grid wanted to quickly check the information of his newly acquired skill.

  [Mineral Creation]

  [-Create new minerals by mixing multiple minerals. The cooperation of a magician is required for the skill.

  Skill Usage Conditions: Sign a research contract with a magician.

  Duration required for the skill research: ?

  Number of minerals that can be created: 1.]

  ‘As expected.’

  Grid thought of pavranium when he heard the name ‘Mineral Creation.’ Pavranium was the strongest mineral that Pagma and Braham had created after studying together for a long time. It had infinite durability and its own will.

  ‘The mineral I create may have other characteristics.’

  The skill stated that a new mineral would be created by mixing together several minerals. It was highly likely that the characteristics of the mineral would vary depending on which minerals were mixed.

  ‘By the way, isn’t the description pretty ambiguous?’

  It was disconcerting that the period of the skill research was unknown. It was possible to mix several minerals, but the exact number of minerals wasn’t specified. Braham sensed Grid’s questions and explained, -The number of minerals mixed in and the duration of the research will be determined by the level of the magician. It is impossible to guess accurately.

  One thing was for sure.

  -Signing a contract with this legendary body will allow you to create new minerals by mixing many types of minerals. It will also be fairly quick.

  Braham had experience creating pavranium with Pagma. It wasn’t difficult to create a new mineral once a person involved had gained some experience.

  “You sure are dependable.” Grid smiled. The chill that froze his bones and heart didn’t interfere with his smile.

  Then Braham spoke unexpected words, -However, I’m not a legendary great magician right now. I’m just a hollow shell with little knowledge. I can’t help with your research.

  “Isn’t it fine with just knowledge?”

  -I am a magician. My knowledge is based on magic, so I need magic to implement my knowledge.

  “Ah…”

  This meant Grid couldn’t create a second pavranium with Braham until Braham’s soul was restored. Braham told the disappointed Grid, -I remember there was a magician among your subordinates?

  How was there only one person? Grid had thousands of magicians as his subordinates. However, Grid knew the person Braham was referring to—Great Magician Ashur. He was the only person who met the ‘minimum’ qualifications to be considered a magician by Braham.

  -If you cooperate with him, you can start your research right now.

  Grid scoffed at Braham’s words and said decisively, “I will definitely do my research with you.”

  -How annoying. I’m already trembling at the thought of doing research with an idiot like you… Well, it can’t be helped if that is what you want. Later, kiss my feet and say thank you. Braham’s soul shook. It seemed that he was happy.

  “I understand. It is easy to kiss your instep.”

  -H-Hey, look at this crazy guy! I don’t need your kiss!

  “What are you saying…?”

  Either way, it was useless to talk about it now. Braham had to restore his soul to become a legendary magician again, and the time period required wasn’t short.

  “Well, let’s stop talking. Let’s concentrate on your recovery until the day we make the grivurnum that surpasses pavranium.”

  -Grivurnum?

  “It is the name of the new mineral we will create. Grivurnum, named after Grid and Braham.”

  -Then where does the ‘vur’ come from?

  “That…” Grid’s mind was stuck. He felt a sense of shame because he had subconsciously thought of ‘gravure’.

  ‘Am I sexually frustrated these days?’

  Would it be better to name the new mineral something simple and nice like Overgeared Stone? No, he couldn’t. He wanted to add Braham’s name to the mineral because he would be making it with Braham.

  -?? Braham’s face reddened as he couldn’t understand the scene of Grid shaking his head alone.

  [The return scroll has been used.]

  Grid’s field of view blinked.

  ***

  -It’s okay. Braham was slightly impressed as he returned to Reinhardt Castle after a long time. Then he found the portrait of Grid decorating the castle lobby. -It is a good picture. It is 100 times better than the real thing.

  “I know.”

  -Why are you blushing? It is natural to have a portrait of the king in the castle. Do you need to feel ashamed?

  “I’m just ashamed to have my squid-like face on display.”

  -Hah? Compared to me, you’re a squid alright. As for human males…

 
; Just as Grid was feeling embarrassed about the large portrait, Lord returned from training and discovered him. “Father!”

  Lord was ready to literally dive into Grid’s arms, but wasn’t he too big for that now? So, he paused, conscious of the surrounding gazes, and then bowed politely. “Did your trip turn out well? I was very worried.”

  Grid fell to his knees and hugged Lord. “Thank you for your concern. I returned safely.”

  “Ah… My clothes are dirty.”

  “It is natural to have dirt on your clothing.”

  Certainly, Grid and Lord were different from ordinary royal families. Their clothes were always stained with dirt and sweat. Grid was a blacksmith and hunted, while Lord trained in many things. It was unavoidable.

  -Your son is correct.

  After taking a bath with Lord and spending time with Irene in the bedroom… omitted… Grid returned to his office. Braham, who had remained silent during Grid’s time with his family, finally opened his mouth. He was somewhat excited. -I felt he was a bit unusual from the first time I saw him, but your son is a thousand times more talented than you.

  “Huhu. My son is a genius above geniuses.”

  Even hedgehogs had beautiful babies. Grid was naturally proud of Lord, who was beautiful and had a talent that represented the continent. Braham spoke meaningful words to the grinning Grid, -Don’t teach him magic yet.

  “Huh? Why? My Lord is so great and good at everything that I think he will soon learn magic.”

  -Don’t teach him anyway.

  “Why?”

  -I don’t want to say it. It is frustrating and annoying to explain until you understand it.

  “Ah, is that so?”

  Just as Braham trusted Grid, besides the intelligence part, Grid also trusted Braham. Grid thought Braham had a deeper meaning behind this and immediately told Lord to stop studying magic.

  “Then, the next thing…”

  The only thing left was for Grid to be the demon king. Grid placed the things he had prepared in advance on the desk. He started to think about what to create using Item Creation, which could be used freely on the National Competition’s server.

  ***

  The host of the 4th National Competition was China. As the National Competition on the 3rd of August approached, one column was making big waves in China. It was a column written by an old reporter who had been engaged in the e-sports industry for 63 years.