by Park Saenal
‘Originally, it had a two minute cooldown at level one, so I felt regretful…’
The application of counterattacking in battle was endless. It was the strongest variable and threat. Grid felt reassured now that the cooldown time was greatly reduced.
‘By the way…’
The essential problem was the newly opened sword dance, Flower. A skill that exerted the optimal power only when he left as many marks as possible on the target and considered the time. It was a skill that had to be used when ‘thinking’, and Grid already suffered at the thought.
‘Wait?’
Didn’t Pagma instantly target the hundreds of spears of light? …Meaning it was possible to perfectly counterattack with Flower Revolve?
‘Is it surprisingly easy?’
Grid recognized the distant rocks as targets. However, terrain and land couldn’t be recognized as targets. He tried to use Chreshler as a target but stopped because he was afraid it would cause a misunderstanding that led to him being beaten up again. He was about to ask Chreshler to summon the spears of light but stopped because he really would die. In the end, Grid summoned Randy, the Overgeared Skeletons, and Noe and recognized them as targets, but allies couldn’t be recognized as targets.
‘Ah, damn.’
He wanted to test it out right now. Grid was feeling irritated when he sighed.
‘Thinking about it, there would be an uproar if allies could be recognized as targets. It is fortunate that my allies aren’t aware of it.’
Grid asked Chreshler for his understanding, “Can I leave for a moment and come back?”
-You don’t have to come back.
“…You are cruel.”
Affinity with the coffin had increased, but it was only by three points. Chreshler wasn’t particularly interested in Grid, but Grid was tough.
“I’ll be right back. I’ll leave the kids here in case you fall asleep.”
-You want to leave these creatures in front of a pope? Have you ever heard of the saying, ‘Leaving a virgin to a vampire’?
“They will leave, and the light elemental will remain.”
Grid left Chreshler behind and flew into the forest near the cave. Then he quickly recognized the monsters in the forest as targets.
“What is easy…”
It wasn’t easy to recognize dozens of monsters that were moving continuously and changing the positions as targets. In fact, it was difficult to target specific opponents when facing a large number of enemies.
‘Pagma is just great.’
Grid was indignant when he realized the truth.
‘Dammit, this game is too difficult.’
The difficulty of the new skill was higher than expected, and his complaints accumulated. Nevertheless, Grid didn’t lose his motivation. He would work hard until he could make the best use of Flower in the future.
“Sigh.”
Grid looked at the changed effects of the skills and became familiar with them. He took deep breaths to calm his mind and returned to the coffin. A small light elemental was circling around Chreshler. It was easy to see its respect toward the holy power.
‘A cute guy.’
Grid smiled at the lovely scene of the light elemental and finally noticed the biggest change. The biggest change was naturally his ability to fuse sword dances. In the past, he had to combine the sword dances directly and the success would determined by the system. Now, he was intentionally able to get the sword dances he desired. There were five of them!
‘I can have five fusion skills that have four sword dances fused!’
The excited Grid immediately wanted to create the fusion sword dances. He wanted to fill the skill window with four fused sword dances. However, Grid was no longer a fool. He was cautious, and he wasn’t foolish enough to experience another failure like when he made Failure.
‘First of all, let’s check sword energy.’
Grid checked his status window. The level 390 character window that was filled with 90% experience unfolded in front of his eyes. In addition to health, mana and fighting energy, a resource called sword energy was added.
[Sword Energy: 1,000.]
“1,000?”
This was really surprising. It was quite generous unlike his worries. The maximum value of 1,000 wasn’t bad considering the new Pagma’s Swordsmanship only consumed ~50–100 points, with only Transcend consuming 200 points.
‘Is the effect of the Ring of Absurdity applied here?’
It was a ring that reduced resource consumption by 50%. The effect of the item was as absurd as its name, but it just so happened to not be applied to fighting energy. The Hero King was a unique existence, so it was likely a special resource that only applied to the Hero King.
On the other hand, Grid knew approximately 10 people who were great swordsmen. Grid anticipated that Ring of Absurdity would apply to sword energy. It was as he had expected. Grid tested the effect of the Ring of Absurdity by using Link, and the sword energy consumed was reduced by half.
‘Good!’
It was amazing. Seriously, it was too amazing.
‘The four fused sword dances will be around 500 sword energy, so the actual consumption is approximately 250. All five slots will be four fused sword dances… No, that’s too bad.’
Grid paid attention to the recovery of sword energy. Every time the sword was swung, one point of sword energy was restored. There was no explanation for natural recovery. It also meant there might be situations where recovery wasn’t feasible, just like fighting energy. If he was greedy and only created four fused sword dances, the increased consumption might ruin him.
‘The four fusion sword dances also have a long cooldown time. In order to utilize the swordsmanship efficiently, it is better not to be obsessed with the four fused sword dances. I should also create two fused and three fused sword dances.’
The first fusion sword dances that Grid came up with were Linked Resolve and Flower Revolve. Linked Resolve was a skill that could be counterattacked several times while Flower Revolve could aim for more counterattacks depending on the situation. Grid’s expectations were high, but the difficulty of using Flower Revolve was overwhelming.
‘If it was Kraugel, he would surely learn Flower Revolve.’
Kraugel’s insight, judgment, and physical ability would definitely allow him to take full advantage of Flower Revolve. However, Grid wasn’t Kraugel. His control might be at ranker level, but he couldn’t compare with the best control skills. Feeling troubled, Grid shook his head.
‘An easy-to-use skill means that it is simple and easy to be targeted.’
The excuse that he wasn’t talented didn’t work anymore. Talented monsters could be filled everywhere in the world where Grid walked. Grid had to develop further and was forced to choose Flower Revolve.
[The new fusion sword dance Flower Revolve has been created.]
[The number of times a fused sword dance can be created is four times.]
‘Next…’
Grid was about to create another fusion sword dance.
-How long are you going to stand here absent-mindedly?
“…?”
-Weren’t you wondering about who else woke me up? Isn’t that why you asked me to stay awake until you came back? Don’t you want me to tell you? I-I am sleepy. Should I go to sleep?
Grid hurriedly waved his hands. “No! What is the identity of the person? Please let me know who it is.”
-That person…
Chreshler’s answer was unexpected.
***
The Overgeared Kingdom concentrated their forces in Reidan because there was sufficient basis for it. The empire was blocked by the water clan in thes ea and were forced to use the sea route. The empire had to break through Reidan to invade by land.
That’s right. The empire’s only route was Reidan, so the Overgeared Kingdom concentrated their forces in Reidan. However, there was a variable—Sky King Rigal. (Changed from Punching King) He was one of the seven dukes o
f the empire, and the air force he led was able to penetrate through the anti-air surveillance of the Overgeared Kingdom and enter their territory. A huge 5,000 griffons and 300 wyverns appeared over Bairan, and the Overgeared members and people of Bairan were in chaos.
“Destroy everything,” Rigal ordered, and the wyvern’s let out breaths while the troops on the griffon pulled out their spears.
“Kuaaaaak!”
It was a village that had a long bond with Grid. No, Bairan that had been upgraded to a city was now on fire. People screamed while the Overgeared members turned to ash. The first knight that Grid obtained was Jude. Even the highly respected head of Bairan’s security, Jude was helpless in front of the air force’s one-sided attack. A smile appeared on Rigal’s face as he fired a bow and easily defeated two Overgeared members.
“Take the enemies captive and take away all the food. The people will become slaves.”
The Overgeared Kingdom was in crisis. The horrible scene was captured by the cameras of broadcasting companies from all over the world.
Chapter 999
TL Note: One more day left to vote for your favourite artwork in the contest. Please ensure that you vote in the polls that will be linked in the below post, otherwise your votes won’t count. In addition, I was planning a Q&A on discord tomorrow but turns out I have a work shift. So that will have to be cancelled. Apologies.
Polls and Artwork Links
“I’m curious about the identity of this person!”
It was a place where two giants that shook the foundations of the continent were asleep. There were few places as special, even if the entire continent were searched. Thus, Grid was obsessed. A person who visited this place ahead of himself—Grid wanted to know their identity.
‘An ordinary person can’t endure Marie Rose’s evil influence. The first visitor must not be a normal person.’
It must be a presence similar to a legend. What was their identity, and why did they come here? Perhaps it would be profitable if the hidden story was heard. Information was power. This was the calculation of a seasoned player, and fortunately, Chreshler was cooperative.
-It was Muller.
“Muller? Ah, Muller? Sword Saint Muller?”
-Yes.
“Right… Huh?” Grid had been nodding only to stiffen like he was hit by a lightning bolt. Sword Saint Muller, the strongest human being—he was rated as the strongest among all the legends, not just the past legends. Grid was moved at the thought of hearing his story.
Then he had a question. ‘Wait… Muller is a person from the era before Pagma. Yet he visited here? Isn’t it right for Muller to have died before this place existed?’
The precise birth date of Sword Saint Muller hadn’t been recorded. However, Muller’s period of activity recorded in official history coincided with the activities of the first pope. From approximately 320–400 years ago, he was the protagonist who sealed the great demons and ended the era of grief, dying around 250 years ago.
“How many years ago was it?” Grid asked the question.
-It was around 160 years ago? Chreshler gave a shocking answer.
‘Wasn’t that the age when Pagma was active? Ah!’ Grid noticed. ‘Muller also lived for hundreds of years like Pagma!’
In retrospect, someone said that Muller died 150 years ago. Grid thought it was distorted information at the time. Then he recalled Pagma who had lived for hundreds of years and thought he had likely lived through some type of technique.
‘Pagma didn’t know that.’
Pagma had thought that Muller was dead. If he had known that Muller was alive, he would’ve chosen to cooperate with Muller rather than contract with a great demon.
-I’ve told you, right? I’m going to sleep. It feels lonely to wake up in a world without Marie Rose.
“W-Wait a minute! Why did Muller come here 160 years ago? Additionally, when did he die?”
-You have a lot to say. Why do you want so much without giving anything in return? Pagma made this coffin but what did you do? Don’t you have any shame?
“…!” Grid was stung.
He was reminded that Chreshler had no reason to be favorable to him.
-I’m sleeping. Bye.
“W-Wait…!”
Chreshler shouldn’t leave this way. Grid had to hear the backstory. With this in mind, Grid shouted, “I know where Marie Rose is!”
Chreshler’s reaction was surprisingly lukewarm. -I know. She is somewhere in the vampire cities. So what? Will you bring her? Can you bring her?
“…”
-Don’t spit out words that you can’t handle. You can suffer the wrath of a fierce anger.
“…I’m sorry.”
-Hmm… You have done enough good deeds to merit the blessings of the goddess of light and the three churches, so I will give you a bit more kindness. Okay. I’ll tell you what you want to know. Do you know Amoract?
“The great demon? He is the First Servant of the Yatan Church.”
-So, you already know.
The demon of conflict, Amoract—Grid had the experience of meeting his soul. The first time Grid lent his body to Braham, Braham visited Amoract and the pavranium received Yatan’s Blessing. Grid couldn’t forget the menacing presence that had emitted from just the fragment of a soul.
-He was afraid of Marie Rose.
“Huh…?”
Marie Rose was strong enough to ignite fear in a great demon?
-One of the nine great demons who deprived Beriache of her great demon status and deported the vampire clan from hell was Amoract. Since he directly took over controlling the activities of the Yatan Church, Beriache was an obvious risk factor.
“…!” Grid recalled the contents of the conversation between Braham and Amoract. It had already been a few years, but he vaguely remembered the conversation because it had been an impressive meeting.
“You were aware that I would look for you.”
[Of course. Braham needs the blessings of the gods to escape from his mortal body.]
“Will you give me Yatan’s Blessing?”
[That’s right.]
“Kukukuk, the Yatan Church seems to be hostile to Marie Rose.”
[God Yatan favors you, regardless of Marie Rose. Always remember this point.]
God Yatan was against Marie Rose. Braham had clearly said so. An opponent that bothered even the god of evil…
It wasn’t strange that one great demon was afraid of her.
‘Marie Rose is a much stronger presence than I expected. Amoract and Yatan gave Braham strength because they wanted Braham to keep her in check.’
Grid’s mind was elevated after realizing new facts. He felt he was getting closer to the world view, that he was becoming a special existence. Chreshler’s explanation continued.
-So, Amoract used Muller. He’s good at scheming. He spread the rumor that if Marie Rose wasn’t completely destroyed, she would work with the great demons to destroy humans. This reached the ears of Muller who was retired. The vampires were the main enemies of the school at the time. Muller didn’t have a chance to deal with vampires and didn’t understand the race called vampires. Thus, he believed the rumor and came to this place.
“It was to completely destroy Marie Rose.”
-Yes. Then he went back. I explained it well and sent him back.
“Excuse me… Your Holiness. How did Muller stay alive until then? Did he take away the lifespan of others or contract with a great demon?”
-You really don’t understand legends. A legend is an existence that became a legend due to the ‘feats’ that they built up. Legends don’t die easily as long as they aren’t forgotten by people.
“…!”
A message window flashed through Grid’s mind.
[A legend doesn’t die easily.]
This was the moment he understood the background of the skill. Yet it raised another question. “However… Khan… was a great blacksmith that I knew couldn’t overcome the limitations of life ev
en if he became a legend. He died as soon as he became a legend. I also haven’t heard that other legends have lived for hundreds of years except for Pagma.”
-He didn’t build up feats that people never stopped talking about. Moreover, production classes like blacksmith are difficult to obtain the benefits of their feats. People focus on the works they create, not the person who created them. Should I give you an example that is easy to understand? The man called the Undefeated King. He was the owner of a combat power that wasn’t inferior to Sword Saint Muller and was never defeated in a solo battle. However, these activities were confined to his homeland.
“…?”
-His feats were only spoken about by his people, not the whole continent. It means his fame was weak and his status as a legend fell. He died in the hands of the Saharan Empire, but if he didn’t die, he wouldn’t have lived for long.
“Ah…” Grid understood somewhat. As a player, he was able to receive the benefits of immortality as soon as he became a legend, but the inhabitants of this world were different.
‘This…’
The first people Grid thought about were Piaro and Mercedes. Grid had stopped them from participating in combat as much as possible because he was afraid they would be in danger. Now it turned out not to be a wise move.
‘In order to keep them alive for a long time, it is necessary for them to engage in many battles and build up feats.’
In particular, Mercedes was the problem. Piaro’s farming could build up a certain amount of feats, but Mercedes was a knight. She was supposed to be on the battlefield to build up her feats.
“Why didn’t Pagma know about the concept of a legend? He believed that Muller was dead.”
-Even though he understood the concept, he wouldn’t have doubted Muller’s death. No legend has as many feats as Muller, and there is no precedent for a legend who has lived as long as Muller. Who would’ve imagined that Muller would be alive for hundreds of years? I didn’t imagine it until I saw him myself.
“Is Muller still alive?”
-No, Chreshler asserted, -He is dead. The world is constantly changing, and new things constantly occur. People are interested in new characters rather than praising a person who lived a long time ago. The number of times Muller was talked about decreased.