Overgeared

by Park Saenal

  Regas’ fist pierced Elfin Stone’s chest. However, Elfin Stone didn’t suffer any damage. He turned into smoke at the point of attack.

  “This is the real thing!”

  Regas rotated his body without recalling his fist. He aimed his heel towards Elfin Stone’s head. It was an irregular and exciting attack.

  “Kkuk…!”

  Regas’ strength was his unpredictable attack patterns. Elfin Stone didn’t expect this type of behavior and groaned. On the other hand, Pon was rushing forward.

  “Rain Spear!”

  Pepeng! Pepepeng!

  Pon leapt and repeated stabbed his spear. The spear poured down like rain. It was an unavoidable attack, as long as the whole body wasn’t turned into smoke. But if the whole body was turned into smoke, there was a large delay and counter attacking was impossible. It was an act that Elfin Stone had to avoid.

  “Blood Shield!”

  Jjejeong! Jjeejeeeong!

  Elfin Stone consumed some of his health to release blood, creating dozens of red shields. The spears and shields collided in the air.

  Puk! Puk puk!

  Faker approached in secret and repeatedly stabbed Elfin Stone in the neck. The higher the number of hits, the more damage that would be accumulated. Elfin Stone shouted.

  “I’ll have to deal with you first!”

  “…!”

  Faker was nervous. It was because Elfin Stone’s gaze was no longer focused on Huroi.

  Peeng!

  Iyarugt glowed red, causing his ears to burst.

  Chiing!

  The Overgeared members instantly felt their ears ringing. This was the ‘Blood Cry’ skill attached to Iyarugt. The Overgeared members lost their balance and Elfin Stone used a skill.

  “Blood Thorns!”

  Puuok! Puuok!

  Dozens of thorns emerged from Blood Field and stabbed Faker’s thigh. Blood Thorn! The attack power wasn’t strong, but it was the worst magic that polluted the blood stream of the target. Movement speed was drastically reduced, so Faker’s swiftness was blocked.

  Elfin Stone smiled and wielded Iyarugt. He wanted to cut Faker’s head off. Just in time, flaming arrows came flying and stopped the action. It was Jishuka’s cover.

  “You are pretty good humans.”

  Elfin Stone was stimulated by the Overgeared members. Elfin Stone was in a better position the longer this went on.

  Kwajak!

  Elfin Stone lightly snapped an arrow. His current health was still at 8/10ths. On the other hand, the Overgeared members had their health reduced by at least one-third to a half. It was the power of Blood Field.

  “If this continues, we’ll be wiped out in two minutes.”

  Zednos restored Faker’s movement speed with Blessing of the Wind, and spoke with a desperate expression. Vantner shrugged.

  “I agree.”

  Elfin Stone’s strengths weren’t his attack power, magic power, defense, or speed. These were low compared to bosses of the same level. However, the reason he felt so strong was his unrivaled utility.

  Wide area status damage, wide area defense and attack skills, wide area vampire skills, single target defense skills and so on. It seemed impossible unless all the Overgeared members were summoned.

  Could they win even if Grid reached level 300? It happened when the party members were feeling doubts.

  {Sacrifice Huroi. The reason why Elfin Stone is on a rampage is Huroi, so he will stop after Huroi dies.}

  What nonsense was Grid speaking?

  “…?”

  Everyone except for Huroi frowned and doubted their ears. Regas evaded Iyarugt’s fierce attack and questioned Grid.

  {Selling out our companion? Did I hear it wrong?}

  Grid shook his head.

  {No, you heard it properly.}

  Pon shouted angrily.

  {Don’t make us disappointed!}

  Jishuka was the same.

  {Grid, a man who sells out his companions doesn’t deserve to stand at the top.}

  Peak Sword, Zednos and Faker didn’t give opinions, but they couldn’t hide their uncomfortable feelings. It was a natural criticism. But Grid wasn’t ashamed. He looked at all the members with dignified eyes.

  “This is to protect more companions.”

  That’s right. Grid wasn’t going to sacrifice Huroi for nothing.

  ‘Eight people will be saved by one sacrifice.’

  Ordinary people couldn’t easily make the choice to sacrifice someone for the greater good. Especially if the person was someone precious. However, Grid was more pragmatic. Making decisions out of affection? Grid wasn’t the type.

  “Cough!”

  Faker was hit by an attack. Grid ran towards him and pulled out Failure.

  Chaaeng!

  The blue Failure collided with the red Iyarugt.

  [The durability of the +9 Failure has decreased by 5.]

  The strength of the blood stone was far superior to that of the blue orichalcum. Looking at just strength, it seemed to be above adamantium.

  ‘The creator of Iyarugt is better than my current self.’

  Grid clicked his tongue and sent a whisper to Huroi.

  –Do you understand what I mean? You have to sacrifice yourself for everyone.

  Huroi didn’t hesitate at all…

  –I understand, My Lord.

  The reaction was as expected. This made Grid’s heart ache even more. Grid smiled bitterly.

  –Why don’t you ever say it if you don’t like something? I’m even more sorry if you are too good.

  –I only follow My Lord’s commands. If it’s a reasonable order like right now, I am even more willing!

  The loss of experience, item durability loss or item drop penalties after death were fatal to anyone. In particular, Huroi’s combat power was low so his level up speed was slow. Thus, it was more critical. Nevertheless, Huroi was always willing to follow Grid’s orders.

  –I will surely get revenge on Elfin Stone. And I will make sure that you are compensated enough to make up for today’s sacrifice.

  –There is no need for compensation. It is my mission to sacrifice myself for My Lord and your precious people. I desire nothing in return. In addition, this situation is all my fault…

  –I don’t need you to take responsibility. And don’t forget that you are also a precious person to me.

  -…

  Grid prepared his heart. He proposed to Elfin Stone, who was gazing at him coldly over the sword.

  “I will hand over my companion who dared to mention your parents. Kill him to release your anger.”

  Elfin Stone couldn’t believe his ears.

  “Selling out your companion to save your life? Humans are truly dirty and ugly.”

  “So, you don’t want to?”

  A smile appeared on Elfin Stone’s face.

  “I want.”

  ‘Indeed.’

  It was as Grid expected. Elfin Stone waned to enjoy the game of hunting humans for a long time.

  “Go and die.”

  Grid commanded as he treated from Elfin Stone, and Huroi took immediate action. He ran over to Elfin Stone. The people who saw him cried out.

  “No!”

  “What are you doing, you crazy guy!?”

  The words were useless. Grid had already made up his mind, and Huroi followed Grid.

  “I will kill you cruelly.”

  Puok!

  Huroi didn’t resist as Elfin Stone played with him like a toy. Blood Thorns pierced his ankles to restrict movement, while Iyarugt cut at his wrists so he couldn’t hold a sword. Then the body was sliced up like steak, until he eventually hacked into the head.

  “…”

  The physical pain was nothing compared to the mental impact, but Huroi didn’t even groan. His mind had been disciplined by spending hundreds of hours trapped in a dark dungeon.

  “I can’t look anymore!”

  The Overgeared members were filled with righteous indignation. Grid warned those
who were about to save Huroi.

  “Don’t be ridiculous and get out of here quickly. If you violate this command, I will expel you from the guild.”

  “…”

  Grid lacked charisma. What did it matter how high his dignity stat was? He seemed frivolous because he only cared about money and glamor. But at this moment, he was different. He felt guilt and sorrow at forcing someone to die.

  Grid tried to keep the emotions from his eyes as he made a strong expression. The qualities of a leader were slowly blooming. The Overgeared members calmed down and retreated.

  On this day, Huroi died.

  Chapter 295

  Chapter 295

  “…”

  As soon as they ran away from the area of Blood Field, a notification window popped up.

  [Your party member Huroi has died.]

  The atmosphere was heavy.

  “Shit… There is a day when I have to sacrifice my companion to live…”

  “This is the result of our lack of power. Let’s take this opportunity to work harder.”

  The party members no longer blamed Grid. They knew Grid hadn’t chosen to abandon Huroi because he wanted to. When they looked at it calmly, Grid’s decision was right. No, maybe it was better. Thanks to Grid’s decision, the rest of the party were able to escape the crisis.

  He took the nature of the boss into consideration and created such a situation? It was the day they noticed that Grid wasn’t evolving in just personality and abilities, but in intelligence as well. The present situation wasn’t bad when they thought about it positively.

  But Regas was still shivering.

  “It would’ve been better for all of us to die, rather than sacrificing someone.”

  Originally, Regas was a sympathetic person who valued righteousness above all else. When Grid was still immature. Regas was the only one who respected and trusted Grid, who was ignored by everyone else. Thus, Grid could understand Regas’ anger. But understanding didn’t mean he could accept it.

  “If you have time to grumble, kill more monsters. We now have to clear four buildings in 23 hours.”

  “…!”

  Grid’s group took an average of 10 hours to clear a building. This was a lot. The first two days, it took them at least 12 hours to finish a building.

  There were many strong vampires in each building. In particular, those with more than two True Blood vampires were particularly dangerous. There were times when Vantner needed to use his invincible skill.

  Now Grid declared that the strategy was to spend six hours per building. In particular, the number of people had decreased by one. In a way, it proved that Grid was the most enraged person about Huroi’s sacrifice.

  “Look. We’ll be wiped out if we hurry. It will be unlucky if we encounter a party with more than three True Blood vampires, and if there is no rest…”

  “Vantner is correct. We should maintain our previous pace. Don’t you know that we can get more hurt if we’re too hasty? Grid, I understand your feelings, but don’t be too irritated.”

  Pon persuaded. However, Jishuka and Peak Sword’s thoughts were different.

  “No, we have to do as Grid says. Elfin Stone will come to us again tomorrow.”

  “If Grid doesn’t reach level 300 by then, this situation will happen again.”

  The goal was set.

  “More haste and more speed. We have to hurry.”

  Grid entered the new building and immediately aimed Transcend at the ceiling.

  Kurururung!

  There was a loud sound as the ceiling collapsed and dust covered the place.

  Bump!

  Kung! Kung!

  There were piles of stones.

  Kwaang!

  Kwang! Kwang!

  The coffins in the part of the hall with the collapsed ceiling opened simultaneously. Hundreds of vampires escaped and gazed around angrily.

  “Who dares to awaken us from our sleep!?”

  “These human scum want to die!”

  “No, I want to kill you.”

  Grid held Failure and the Doppelganger’s Greatsword with a cold expression.

  ‘I am angry.’

  His party members were here to help him with his quest. He was shaken by his helplessness.

  “I…!”

  Grid led the way. There was no stopping. The red light of the Slaughterer’s Eye Patch shone in the darkness.

  “I! I’m going to become stronger!”

  Yes, he would become strong enough not to experience this dirty feeling twice. The best! Grid finally had a goal to play this game. What was the one thing he needed? Numerous combat experience, level and senses. As well as the power of items.

  “Ohhhhhh!”

  Grid entered the middle of hundreds of vampires! In the darkness, Failure and Grid’s Boots became more powerful. Now he was able to fight better than before he arrived in the vampire city.

  He had struggled with a large number of enemies all day long and grew more proficient. But he should remain calm at all times.

  “Kek! Ugh! H-Hik! Save me!”

  “…”

  Grid moved like a madman among the vampires and quickly became ragged. The party members had to struggle to clean up his mess.

  ***

  Reidan Castle’s resurrection point.

  Pahat!

  Huroi appeared with a burst of light. He looked fine considering that his body had been torn apart by Elfin Stone a while ago.

  “Pant… Pant…”

  Huroi’s breathing was rough. His body was trembling like crazy. He had a strong mentality, but he hadn’t experienced his body being hacked apart before. He breathed out as he shook off the shock and opened the status window. He checked his experience gauge.

  ‘10%….’

  The drop in experience was a huge 29.3%. From level 200 onwards, the loss of experience after death was in proportion to the level.

  ‘Fortunately, no items dropped.’

  It wasn’t comforting. The durability of all of his items had dropped by at least 100 points. If Huroi was an ordinary user without Grid, he would’ve had to spend a lot of money on repairs.

  “Huroi?”

  Lauel ran over to Huroi. He was the busiest person in the guild. Lauel was tired.

  “What happened?”

  He knew of only two ways to escape from a vampire city. It was to kill the boss or die. There was only one reason for one member of the party to return.

  “…You, did you die?”

  Huroi nodded at Lauel’s question.

  “The boss is too strong.”

  “Please tell me the story.”

  There was no reason to hide it. Huroi told Lauel all the details of what happened in the vampire city. Lauel’s reaction to the story was surprisingly bright.

  “Grid used such a method? Haha! Incredible! Grid’s brain wasn’t just a decoration!”

  “…”

  Lauel was truly jubilant about Grid’s growth. But this choice of words was inappropriate, so Huroi couldn’t help glaring.

  ***

  “Grid’s expedition of the 13th expedition will end in failure. Maybe this time tomorrow, Grid’s party will appear at the resurrection point.”

  The meeting room in Reidan Castle.

  Lauel convened the former members of the Tzedakah Guild and delivered the news of Grid’s party to them. The Overgeared members murmured at the desperate story.

  Toban gritted his teeth, “I should’ve gone.”

  Toban was a paladin with divine power. He was the antithesis of vampires. But he didn’t take part in the expedition because he was in charge of the yellow mithril mine. There were few people in Overgeared who could manage the workers, so Toban was an invaluable presence.

  Lauel waited until the atmosphere calmed and opened his mouth again.

  “As you know, pavranium is indispensable for Grid. The more pavranium that Grid obtains, the stronger he will become. So I will send an additional two people to support Grid
’s party.”

  Reidan, Bairan, Cork Island. These three territories must be managed so more support was impossible. Just sending two people as support was hard for Lauel. If only two people were missing, Lauel would have to reduce his sleeping time and managing the territory would become more difficult.

  Toban declared, “I am going to join.”

  “Nope. Not you.”

  “Ik…! Think about it! I will be the biggest help to Grid’s party right now!”

  “I’m aware of that. But now that the number of miners is over 100 people, you can’t leave.”

  “Then what about me?”

  It was the human beast, Toon. Lauel shook his head again.

  “Not you either. If you leave the guild while the main force is absent, the guild’s attack power will drop to a dangerous level.”

  “Then who are you going to send?”

  “Hrmm.”

  Lauel examined the Overgeared members. Including Huroi, there were a total of three people. Who could be a big help to Grid without taking away too much from the territory management?

  Lauel struggled before pointing out one person.

  “Ibellin.”

  “Yes!”

  The flamberge master, Ibellin! He was delighted at being called. For the past few days, he had just been hunting the monsters near the mine.

  “The second one… Hah.” Lauel sighed at the thought. “No matter how I look, there isn’t another useless person like Ibellin.”

  “You bastard!”

  Lauel and Ibellin were still rivals from their days in the Ten Rookies. As the two people were fighting, somebody knocked on the door of the meeting room.

  “Come in.”

  Lauel called out and a soldier opened the door.

  “A guest has come.”

  “Guest?”

  What guest would come to the guild?

  “Heok.”

  “T-This is ridiculous…”

  The Overgeared members were surprised. It was because they confirmed the identity of the guest.

  “Nice to meet you.”

  Even the voice was beautiful. White skin and black hair. A slender figure and neat impression that radiated charm. It was her, Yura.

  Lauel smiled widely.

  ***

  “Pant pant… Shit, I’m going to die now.”

  The bloodstained Vantner cursed and screamed. The situation was desperate. There were over 100 vampires surrounding Grid’s current party, and there were also three True Blood vampires.