by Park Saenal
Grid pointed Failure at him and said, “Beg me, Duke Grid, for your life.”
“W-What…!”
Grid’s sword damage was as powerful as Piaro’s. No, maybe even more than that. Earl Ashur thought it was ridiculous.
Chapter 213
Chapter 213
‘He’s this strong?’
Earl Ashur was exposed to news about Grid’s actions in Reinhardt. The strongest golem army, that hundreds of thousands of troops couldn’t go against, was cut like carrots. But weren’t rumors always exaggerated?
During Grid’s novice adventurer days. Earl Ashur remembered that he had no talent and was a fool, so he had no choice but to laugh at the rumors. Grid might have the ability of a legend, but it was dulled because he couldn’t use it properly. The nobles must’ve intentionally inflated the rumors in order to boost the morale of the people.
But that wasn’t it. Now Grid was the hero in the rumors. At that moment, Earl Ashur’s memories of the beginner Grid were completely blown away. His narrow perception disappeared and he started to perceive the current Grid correctly.
‘Indeed, this is an absolute presence.’
The two eyes reminiscent of rotten fish. The mean eyes when facing the weak now shone as they contemplated the world in a much stronger face. The weak body that always shrank back. The pathetic flesh that ran away when hunting orcs and was killed by the orc captain, it was now standing firmly like a mountain.
That disgusting face. He didn’t care about how he looked and was always jealous of others. That horrible face now emitted a dignity that charmed all the people of the kingdom.
‘Is it possible for a person to change this way…?’
“You want me to beg for my life?”
Earl Ashur quietly observed Grid and the blue sword in his hand. The sword gleaming with a white light was something that could only be seen in legends. Earl Ashur felt a fear of death. His instincts were shouting at him to succumb to Grid.
This was the effect of Grid’s high dignity stat. However, Earl Ashur had the highest pride as the strongest person in the Eternal Kingdom and a great magician, so he didn’t give in easily.
“I’d rather die.”
He hadn’t been sure Pagma’s Rare Book actually existed.
Earl Ashur decided to use Grid, who was easy to take advantage of. However, he gave reasonable compensation and didn’t put a time limit on the quest. It was a quest he seriously entrusted to Grid, because he believed in Grid’s inherent tenacity. Did he give a novice adventurer the quest in an attempt to trick him?
No, it was Grid who abandoned the faith first. Grid was blinded by greed after discovering Pagma’s Rare Book and broke the promise, trying to take the book for himself.
‘That wasn’t all.’
His precious son Bland had been in love with Irene for many years. The woman who seemed likely to marry Bland had been taken away by Grid. It was better to choose death than to submit to Grid, who wasn’t just his enemy, but his son’s enemy as well.
Grid was baffled as he watched Earl Ashur tightly close his eyes.
‘He really wants me to kill him?’
Grid had hated Earl Ashur since he was killed. But it was his choice to quickly find Pagma’s Rare Book without understanding the subject. He wasn’t forced by Earl Ashur. Nevertheless, whenever he suffered a trial, he blamed everything on Earl Ashur.
His habit of blaming others was the problem. Strictly speaking, there was no reason for Grid to resent Earl Ashur. If Pagma’s Rare Book hadn’t existed, Grid wouldn’t have found it or turned into Pagma’s Descendant.
As a result, Earl Ashur was Grid’s benefactor. Of course, that was just the result, and there was no need for Grid to feel gratitude. It was through Grid’s willpower that he found Pagma’s Rare Book and became Pagma’s Descendant. It was due to Grid’s own efforts that he could grow until now, and it wasn’t thanks to Earl Ashur.
Anyway, this was the conclusion.
‘I have overwhelmed him but… Looking at this, I don’t need to kill him.’
Grid still didn’t like Earl Ashur. In fact, he had the experience of being murdered by Earl Ashur’s knights, and he had been directly threatened with death by Earl Ashur, so it wasn’t easy to feel forgiveness.
But it wasn’t enough to feel the urge to murder him. His conscience didn’t allow him to.
“Sigh, okay. Forget it.”
“…?” Earl Ashur was confused as Grid sighed and took back his sword. “I tried to kill you. But you will spare me?”
Earl Ashur’s strength transcended his title, but he was still an earl. Grid was a duke, but Earl Ashur treated him badly and even tried to kill him because of a grudge of the past. Now that he discovered that Grid was really qualified to be a duke, Earl Ashur was aware that he committed a crime. He thought it was natural to be executed, so he couldn’t accept this.
“Is there something you will demand separately of me?”
Earl Ashur eyed Grid warily.
‘I had mercy on him, yet he’s still doubting me?’ Grid’s heart beat faster. The Grid of the past would’ve been swept away by his emotions and spoken nonsense. ‘It’s better to ask for something in exchange for saving him.’
Grid had learned to take advantage of certain situations. He had learned it by watching Lauel for three months. What could he get from Earl Ashur?
Grid thought about it.
‘Money? Jewelry? Land? Items?’
He was greedy. As Grid was deeply troubled about what he should ask for, Lauel sent him a whisper.
–Grid, everyone has arrived in Reidan except for Euphemina. When are you going to arrive?
–I think it will take three more days.
–Three days? What is taking so long? Can’t you come quickly if you use Fly? Come quickly. There is a mountain of work to do.
–I have a companion. But my companion doesn’t want to ride a carriage, so we’re walking. Just handle things for a few days.
–Companion…? Who are you talking about?
–You’ll see when you meet him. It is good that you got in touch with me. I actually…
Grid briefly explained to Lauel about the relationship between him and Earl Ashur, as well as the current situation.
-…In these circumstances, what should I ask from Earl Ashur?
–Earl Ashur…
As one of the 10 great magicians on the continent, Earl Ashur was a huge celebrity. Lauel already knew about him, so he thought carefully before asking.
–There is a story I’ve heard from Vantner. I heard he caused a disturbance along with Earl Ashur’s son on the day of your wedding to Irene?
–Really? I didn’t know. I couldn’t pay attention to anything else on that day.
–Pay attention to him. Ask Earl Ashur to give you his son.
–Eh? What are you saying?
Lauel clearly predicted that Grid wouldn’t understand and added a detailed explanation.
–Earl Ashur is famous for his love for his son. If you keep his son, he won’t be able to go against you again and he will have to move according to your will. Earl Ashur’s mighty power will surely help one day.
‘What a great guy.’
Lauel looked at benefits rather than money, so Grid thought he was truly great. One day he would become smart like Lauel. A wicked smile appeared on Grid’s face and Earl Ashur’s anxiety was heightened.
Then Grid demanded, “Give me your son.”
“What…?” It was like a bolt out of the blue to Earl Ashur. He absolutely couldn’t accept it. “You mean to take my son hostage!”
The 48 year old Earl Ashur was still young and beautiful. His appearance was like the protagonist of a manhwa, and he had been very popular since childhood. When he was a young man and still active among the social circles, dozens of women clung to him.
But Earl Ashur only loved one woman. She wasn’t beautiful, but Earl Ashur fell for her warm-heartedness. Their marriage was successful. They had two
sons and lived happily.
It was a short moment of happiness.
Unfortunately, Earl Ashur’s wife suffered from a terminal illness and died at a young age. Earl Ashur tasted the pain of his heart breaking. However, he didn’t have time to mourn. He had an obligation to defend the kingdom and had to take care of his two young sons.
Earl Ashur was faithful to his duties and raised his sons at the same time. His first son became a royal mage, and his second son became a magic swordsman because he showed talent in both magic and swordsmanship. Earl Ashur was able to fill the blank spot left by his wife with his pride for his two sons.
But the heavens were too harsh on Earl Ashur.
Just two years ago. His first son went on a monster conquest and died. After that, Earl Ashur’s nature became somewhat strange. His gentleness disappeared. However, he still cared about his remaining son. Bland was his only blood, and Earl Ashur cherished him more than his own life.
“My flesh and soul might burn, but I will never sell my son. Just kill me.”
‘Stubborn…’
What should he do? Grid wasn’t smart, so the only method he could come up with was to use force. But this problem didn’t need to be resolved with force.
“I will follow you.”
A blond man appeared while Grid was feeling confused. The person was Bland.
“Why are you…!?”
Bland ignored the panicked Earl Ashur and bowed before Grid. “I, Bland de Ian, son of Earl Ashur, greet Duke Grid, the great hero of this kingdom.”
Bland and Grid had dueled once over Irene. But in the end, Bland was defeated and kicked out from the wedding. After that, he lived in pain for a while, but now he was determined.
“I will go to Reidan according to Duke Grid’s will.”
It was the only way to save his father. Earl Ashur’s face turned white.
“Bland! Why are you deciding this by yourself?”
Grid was the rival who deprived Bland of his beloved. Earl Ashur couldn’t tolerate his son being Grid’s hostage. He started to gather magic power in his pained body.
“I will kill you and give your soul to God Yatan if you touch one hair on my son!”
Bland came forward before Grid could frown. He fell to his knees.
“Duke Grid, my father lost his temper because he cares too much about me. Please show mercy one more time.”
“B-Bland…”
He was begging to his rival because of his father! Earl Ashur was shocked by causing more humiliation to his son and fell silent. Then Bland reassured him. “Father, I will go and study under Duke Grid. Please trust in your son and wait for me to return. Don’t skip any meals.”
“Ugh…”
Earl Ashur was frustrated. His eyes had been clouded by his grudge, and now his son was taken as a hostage. Grid placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Earl Ashur, don’t worry. I will look after your son.”
Ssik.
Wasn’t he a demon? He could smile brightly and enjoy the pain and sorrows of others. To Earl Ashur, Grid didn’t look like a human. However, Grid was obviously a human.
‘Please don’t overdo it. I won’t eat your son.’
Grid inwardly spoke before glancing at Piaro and Bland.
“Let’s go.”
After a few moments. The only thing left was a disastrous scene where Earl Ashur looked completely insane and the wounded knights looked wretched.
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Chapter 214
Chapter 214
Grid and Piaro walked alongside each other, while Bland awkwardly followed behind. Grid looked at Piaro to verify.
“How was it? The skills of one of the 10 great magicians on the continent?”
“It was more than I expected. He was mentally strong enough to withstand my oppression. If he used an orb as a weapon, it would’ve been a close fight.”
For magicians, the staff was a weapon with the concept of high risk and high return. There was no magic storage function, so its stability was poor, but the magic amplification rate was so high that it was possible to use a powerful one-shot.
Most magicians were burdened by the high risk and turned away from the staff, but Earl Ashur had overpowering magic casting speed. Unlike regular magicians, he used a staff as a weapon, and that was a weakness when dealing with someone strong like Piaro today. He was defeated before he could use magic in front of Piaro.
‘Ashur is really strong.’
Grid didn’t show it, but he was terrified when hit by Ashur’s Fluid Escape.
He wore the Armor of Holy Light made out of the god mineral adamantium by the legendary blacksmith Pagma. The legendary item had the effect of ‘50% reduction in magic damage,’ so he was surprised that he suffered 40,000 damage from a single strike.
‘Ashur showed a more powerful damage than the other boss monsters I have come against…’
It was overwhelming. Grid received so much damage, while Piaro survived Earl Ashur’s attack without any damage.
‘Did he temporarily raise his defense through the operation of qi?’
Grid was reminded of body protection qi from martial arts.
“How strong is Asmophel that you can’t get revenge by yourself?”
Piaro grimaced as he heard the dirty name. “It’s difficult to reach him, rather than him being strong. There is nobody who doesn’t know my face in the empire. If I step foot in the empire, I will die immediately.”
“Stop complaining. Who can kill you so easily? Even if you’re besieged, can’t you use Fated to Perish to knock them down? You don’t have to worry if you fought like you did against Ashur.”
“If it was so simple, would I be hiding for the past two years? You have no idea of the power of the empire.”
Piaro suddenly stopped.
“What’s going on?”
“A monster.”
“Monster?”
After escaping from the thick forest, Grid turned his gaze in the direction Piaro was indicating. An endless expanse of desert stretched out before them.
“I don’t even see an ant, let alone a monster?”
Piaro spoke briefly towards Grid, who was trying to see what was visible.
“Below.”
“Eh?”
There was a subtle vibration from the ground. Grid checked the sand and moved as he realized his mistake.
Kwaang!
In the place where Grid were just standing, a huge elongated creature came up. It was a centipede. An extra large centipede that had lived for thousands of years.
Kiyaaak!
“Ugh.”
The length of the body was well over 10m, and the hundreds of legs were as big as human limbs. They wriggled in a disgusting manner. Grid felt disgusted by the creature that had a yellow liquid pouring from it and blocked his nose.
“You’re squeamish like a girl.”
“What does being a man or woman have to do with anything? Dammit.”
This was an insect. It was the first time he saw such a big one. It was much bigger than the spiders in Kesan Canyon. Grid jumped and cut down at the centipede. The surface of the centipede was very hard. It wasn’t easily destroyed by the +9 Failure, an absolute weapon. It was a defense comparable to the ancient weapon.
‘Is it a monster that specializes in defense?’
The determined Grid didn’t consider a counterattack and kept striking. However, the centipede was surprisingly agile. It quickly moved its massive body and attacked.
[You have suffered 6,300 damage.]
“What?”
It was safe to say that this was the first time Grid suffered so much damage from a normal monster after wea
ring the Holy Light set, the strongest armor currently in existence. A very surprised Grid corrected his posture. He finally took the battle seriously.
But the desert terrain hindered him.
“Che.”
Grid’s stride was off due to the thick sand, leading to a weakening of his grip. A normal person would’ve suffered a great setback, but this was Grid.
“Fly!”
He used the magic possessed by Braham’s Boots to fly into the sky and strike the centipede’s head. However, the counterattack wasn’t formidable enough. Grid was pushed back and winced. In the meantime, another centipede emerged from the ground and Grid was pincer attacked by two enemies.
Piaro tried to help, but suddenly stopped. He carefully observed and advised Grid.
“When attacking in any situation, place weight on the end of your sword. It is the basics even when flying through the air. Mobilize not just your limbs, but the muscles in your neck, and then transfer your weight to the end of your sword. You are too distracted to do the basic movements. Organic movements are needed to get the most out of your power. But before that, fix the habit of your head first…”
‘What is he saying?’
Grid was disturbed by Piaro while fighting the two centipedes. It was impossible for him to understand what Piaro was talking about, so he was confused.
‘I’m playing right now, so why is he acting like this is a sword dojo?’
In the first place, he didn’t need it. He ignored the words of the best swordsman pouring into his ears and leaned on his skills, as he always did.
“Pagma’s Swordsmanship, Link!”
The dozens of blue-white energy blades fell and shattered the two centipedes.
[The giant worm has been destroyed.]
[2,330,900 experience has been acquired.]
[The giant worm has been destroyed.]
[2,340,100 experience has been acquired.]
[The giant worm’s leg has been acquired.]
The giant worms gave a huge amount of experience. Grid was surprised and confirmed the details of the giant worm.
[Giant Worm]
Level: 330
A worm that lives in the western part of the Eternal Kingdom. It dwells deep in the earth, and once it detects the presence of creatures, it will emerge through the ground and attack. It is a very common species in the western desert.
