by Park Saenal
There was sudden confusion. The commentator belatedly spread the news.
『 That person’s ID is Grid. He is a member of the South Korean national team and scheduled to be Yura’s partner in the target processing match. He was unavoidably delayed and arrived late.』
The Korean audiences booed.
“Grid? It is the first time I’ve heard that name.”
“Ah… What is this? This scum that I’ve never heard of has arrived at the last minute? Is this a comedy?”
“That bastard is going to appear now? Yura is suffering because of him!”
There was also backlash from the foreign audience.
“What? How can he participate midway?”
“It is against the rules!”
The commentator explained.
『 According to the organizers, there is no rule that prohibits participating while the event is going on. So it seems that the Korean team member’s belated admission isn’t a problem. 』
The experts from various international media outlets frowned.
『 For a player to participate in the middle of a match… 』
『 I know that the National Competition’s Organizational Committee is made up of Korean government personnel and executives of the S.A. Group. Their lack of professionalism is showing. 』
『 This is the first year the National Competition is held so there are a lot of loopholes. Well, won’t it improve gradually? There is a story that the organizational committee is restructuring with experts. 』
『 …The bottom line is that the Korean team member is going to participate. How will this change the situation? 』
『 What will change? Yura is already at her limit. The man called ‘Grid’ who is joining late isn’t even on the list of 1,000 top ranker players. The fate of the Korean team won’t change. At this rate, they will be eliminated. 』
The odds of an unknown player participating in the target processing match filled with only players in the top 80 was close to zero. That’s why no one was expecting anything from Grid. On the other hand, the players from eight countries surrounding Yura and were trying to deal the final blow.
“Forcing my player to logout…! It’s over for our country now! I will kill you myself!”
“This…”
Regas tried to stop them but it was impossible. Med was suddenly more agile than Faker and persistently pursued him, not allowing Regas to escape.
Pepeok!
Med attacked Regas with a club while glaring sharply.
“You ruined everything. If it wasn’t for you, Yura would’ve been easily managed and we wouldn’t have wasted so much time.”
Looking at the scoreboard, the US, France, Brazil, China and Japan all exceeded 50 points. South Korea had 78 points, but sooner or later Yura would die. She wasn’t the problem. But the players from other countries were still going strong. It was impossible to cover that 50 point gap.
“Die!”
Yura was attacked by several weapons, while the club aimed at Regas. Regas could break through the crisis on his own. He could give up his flesh and bones. He counterattacked right after being hit by the club.
On the other hand, Yura was helpless. Her mana was depleted and a weapon was just about to stab into her neck.
“No!”
“Yura!”
It was the end of South Korea’s sole hope. The Korean spectators and viewers screamed. On the other hand, the foreign audiences cheered.
“South Korea should exit here! It’s obvious!”
The millions of people watching the competition didn’t doubt that Yura would die. Ah, except for one person.
Chaeeeeeng!
Seven golden blades fell from the sky. They accurately deflected the weapons about to hit Yura.
“…What?!”
The rankers who were prevented from taking Yura’s life were astonished. Who had interfered? They felt doubt and raised their heads in the direction that the blades came from. The cameras also followed them.
The blue sky was caught in the relay being sent to the whole world. That’s right. It was just the sky.
“No one?”
Surely the blades came from there?
『 What is this? 』
The rankers, commentators and experts. As the spectators and viewers were feeling puzzled…
“The villain has appeared.”
A young man called ‘Grid’ appeared behind the rankers who were staring at the sky.
“Heok?”
“When?”
It was an unexpected situation. A man’s voice was heard where there was nothing?
‘Is it a person with Faker level stealth?’
If so, the person must be a powerhouse. The rankers felt an eerier sensation and turned around. But it was too late. The dark greatsword was already being swung.
Kwa kwa kwa kwang!
“Kuak!”
The strongest representatives of each country were taken out with a single blow. The people supporting the eight countries were in great shock. Grid knew better than anyone else how shock could turn to despair and warned them.
“Be fully prepared. You will experience the same thing from now on.”
Ttaak!
Grid snapped his fingers. Then the seven blades protecting Yura flew into the sky and started attacking the targets flying at 40m per second.
Pepepepeng!
The fragments of the exploded targets filled the screen. The stopped score of the Korean team started again, while Grid took off his Hooded Zip Up while the enemies were gazing at the golden blades. He wore brilliant armor that was red, gold and black.
“The one-sided game, start.”
Was this a devil? An arrogant black-haired man in the sky. His mouth wasn’t the problem.
‘It is serious.’
They lost four damage dealers to Yura. Now eight of the remaining eleven players from eight countries were unable to move.
“Waaahhhhhhhh!”
The Korean spectators cheered in unison. There was no one who frowned at Grid now. They were thrilled by Grid’s spectacular appearance.
Chapter 173
Chapter 173
Talent, skills, appearance, wealth, and background. Yura was born with everything. Nothing was lacking. That’s why people thought she lived without ever experiencing a single trial. But that was a misconception.
They didn’t know all the trails she went through and the effort she made. In fact, Yura had suffered numerous trials and had many frustrating experiences. She tried to withstand the trials and failed. But she was able to mature because she didn’t give in to her frustration.
It was a process that took place in both reality and Satisfy. It was how she could become 5th ranked and a star that people were envious of.
‘I can learn from today’s failure and grow even more.’
There was a flash and weapons aimed at her organs. She closed her eyes and accepted death. Then…
Chaeeeeeng!
Something flew from the sky.
‘This..’
Yura opened her eyes and saw seven beautiful blades. Then a familiar voice was heard.
“The villain has appeared.”
A powerful and confident voice. That voice was weak just a few months ago. Would anyone believe her if she said that?
Kwa kwa kwa kwang!
The black-haired man wielded his greatsword and proudly showed off his overwhelming strength. The person was Grid! It was the moment when the person who once made Yura very frustrated appeared.
‘You came. You decided to accept my compulsion.’
Due to her innate talent, she lived a life of solitude. She didn’t have the experience of relying on someone. Ever since her parents died, she was completely isolated. She had a heart of steel because she had to face the world alone.
But at this moment. Yura’s solid heart melted like snow before sunlight.
“…Thank you.”
Yura smiled as she blushed for the first time. Her smile w
as more brilliant than ever.
***
Tira Island.
The world’s attention was focused on the small island that was the stage for the target processing match.
‘A brilliant debut.’
It was the honest impression of Turkey’s representative, Bubat. The young man called Grid appeared and saved Yura just before her death, blowing the rankers away. Then he used the unidentified golden blades to destroy the targets.
The appearance was dramatic enough to seem like the main character of a movie. Right now, the outside world would be in an uproar. It was obvious that the ID Grid would occupy the number one spot on the Internet real time searches of each country.
There was a common question that everyone in the world had.
“Who are you?” Bubat asked on behalf of the world.
Grid replied sarcastically, “Isn’t it obvious after I saved Yura? South Korea’s representative.”
Bubat frowned at the words.
‘He doesn’t feel any tension despite being surrounded by renowned rankers. He is an arrogant person.’
Grid was certainly a private ranker.
‘A person who hides behind a curtain and doesn’t know the enormity of the world, he believes he is the best frog in the well… I have met many people like you.’
The private rankers all had one thing in common. It was that they didn’t know the reality of the world. They mocked the rankers who competed on stage with courage and honor, not realizing it was just an illusion. Bubat had experience humbling such people.
‘You should always be vigilant.’
Sneak sneak.
Bubat fixed his gaze on Grid and moved a few steps with skillful footwork. He narrowed the distance to 3m and used a skill.
“Bull Headbutt!”
Bull Headbutt was the Crusher’s unique skill and had a higher concept than Blink magic. He leapt through space itself, so he could approach the target no matter what obstacles were in his way.
Kung!
Bubat emerged in front of Grid and used a skill at the same time. He bent his waist. Then his hard forehead hit Grid. Yura countered Bubat using precise timing, but Grid didn’t have the same control as Yura. He allowed the attack.
[You have dealt 1,730 damage to the target.]
[ The target will become rigid for 0.3 seconds.]
[The target has resisted.]
‘Resisted?’
Bubat was confused but linked his CC skills out of habit.
“Star Wish!”
Kwang!
Bubat’s one-handed hammer hit Grid’s temple. There was the special effect of stars floating above Grid’s head.
[You have dealt 2,280 damage to the target.]
[The target will be stunned for 2.5 seconds.]
He did it properly. This was the power of a Crusher, who could neutralize the enemy.
“Well done Bubat!”
The 10 remaining representatives moved in unison. They were intent on killing Grid.
‘It doesn’t matter who you are!’
‘I’ll make your face distort with pain!’
They would force Grid to exit, making his spectacular emergence be in vain. He would go back to hiding behind his curtain as usual, like all private rankers. The rankers ridiculed Grid and prepared to attack him.
“Danger!”
Bubat hurriedly exclaimed. It was due to the incredible notification window that appeared in front of him.
[The target has resisted.]
He saw many people who could reduce the duration of CCs using stats, skills or item effects. Therefore, he didn’t think much of it when he saw that Grid resisted Bull Headbutt’s 0.3 second rigid state. But to be perfectly resistant to a 2.5 second CC?
‘Is he immune to CC?’
If so, it was a total scam. A chill went down Bubat’s spine. However, the other rankers were confident. They couldn’t imagine that Grid was immune to CC and ignored Bubat’s warnings, swinging their weapons as hard as possible.
Pahat!
Syuok!
The onslaught revealed their weakness, because they didn’t expect a counterattack.
Pisik.
Grid laughed and moved lightly.
Sukakak!
First of all, he would leave Bubat for later.
“What…?”
Grid evaded the attacks and advanced while counterattacking.
Seokeok!
Puok!
“Keook!”
“Ugh!”
It was undeniable that Grid’s control skills were lacking compared to a ranker. However, he had experience raiding powerful bosses and he had grown slightly beyond the category of ordinary people. It meant he couldn’t fail to counterattack against the enemies who weren’t vigilant and exposed their weak points.
“What is this… Ugh!”
Grid, who shouldn’t be able to move, had neatly avoided their attacks and counterattacked. Thus, the rankers were caught off guard and wounded. They hurriedly took a health potion while shock filled their eyes.
[You have suffered 6,230 damage.]
[You have suffered 6,100 damage.]
[You have suffered 6,450 damage.]
Putting aside his immunity to CC, his flat damage was this much?
“What is this guy…?”
If a ranker received damage from a damage dealer with a level in the mid-200s, they would suffer around 3,000 damage. Yet this was more than 6,000 damage? In addition, this was the damage without using a skill?
“You..! What is your identity?”
Grid was different from the usual private rankers that they met. He was a monster like Yura. The South Korean team was hiding another bigshot like Yura? The rankers became tense. At this moment, someone saw the golden blades destroying the targets by themselves and belatedly recalled something.
“That reminds me, those golden blades… Don’t they look like the golden discs used by Pagma’s Descendant at the Bairan battle?”
“…Heok?”
“It can’t be…”
The rankers frowned. At the same time, the commentators were making the same guess.
『 The seven golden blades are moving by themselves! The actions, material and color are similar to the golden discs used by Pagma’s Descendant! 』
『 We should pay attention to that black greatsword! That greatsword has an orange color around it like the sunset, so I failed to recognize it at first. But look closely! It is the greatsword that Pagma’s Descendant threw to Toon in the Bairan Battle! 』
“Come to think of it…”
“Then perhaps…?”
“That man called Grid…”
Was he Pagma’s Descendant? The millions of viewers around the world, including the rankers and audience members all wondered the same thing. On the other hand, Grid was frowning.
‘They only lost one-fifth of their health, despite being hit by Dainsleif? They are truly top rankers.’
[+8 Dainsleif (Reproduction)]
Rating: Unique
Durability: 500/500 Attack Power: 703~991 Attack Speed: -8% (-2)%
* Additional damage equal to 10% of the target’s current defense will be dealt.
* The greater the number of enemies, the greater the damage.
(Additional 15 (+3) damage per enemy)
* The skill ‘Golden Flash’ will be generated.
The weapon was strengthened to +8.
Compared to the +0 weapon, the base attack power increased by 56% and the option effects increased by 20%.
Currently, Dainsleif perceived 11 people as enemies. This meant that the +8 Dainsleif had an attack power of 901~1,189+@ (damage proportional to the opponent’s defense). This alone was enough for it to be a great weapon, so Grid had judged that it wasn’t necessary to bring out Failure.
‘I really can’t ignore the rankers.’
Grid opened his inventory. Then he put Dainsleif away and pulled out Failure.
[+9 Failure]
Rating: L
egendary
Durability: 1,090/1,090
Attack Power: 1,768~3,682 Defense: 80 (+24)
* Agility +50 (+15)
* There is a low probability of blocking the enemy’s attacks.
* There is a certain probability of activating the ‘5 Joint Attacks’ skill.
* There is a high probability of activating the ‘Cutting’ skill.
* The skill ‘Bisect’ will be generated.
* There will be a fear effect if the enemy is more than 20 (-6) levels lower than the user.
* Attack power +20% (+6) in dark places.
A +9 item was on a different dimension from a +8 item. Compared to the +0 weapon, the base attack power increased by 70% and the option effects increased by 30%. In addition, Failure was a weapon that was fundamentally more powerful than Dainsleif. The absolute majesty of the +9 Failure couldn’t be compared with the +8 Dainsleif.
‘In the first place, I am participating in the National Competition…’
Grid himself was well aware that it was impossible to conceal his identity anymore. So what if he let the world know?
‘I will have a glamorous debut.’
He was reluctant to be a celebrity because it was annoying in many ways. But on the contrary, if he could endure it, then he would be able to obtain a lot of benefits. He would become more popular with women. Or he would become more popular with women.
‘I will become more popular with women!’
After the incident with Ahyoung, he had a distrust of women and couldn’t think of dating immediately. However, he wasn’t celibate. Who knew what would happen? He might meet his fate if he got many female fans.
“Huhuhu…!”
He smiled. But from the enemy’s point of view, Grid’s smile was very wicked. “Pagma’s Swordsmanship…!”
“P-Pagma…!”
“It’s real!”
The rankers started frantically thinking. The legendary class, Pagma’s Descendant. The person who made the whole world shake was a Korean? And what was that white light around the greatsword?
‘+9 sword…!’
“Transcended Link.”
Kwa kwa kwa kwang!
It was the first appearance of Pagma’s Descendant after the Bairan battle. This was much more powerful compared to the bombardment he fired at Neberius during the Bairan battle.
[You have suffered 18,050 damage.]
[You have suffered 19,900 damage.]
