by Park Saenal
“…”
Why? Why did Damian praise Grid so much? The Japanese people didn’t know the details about the relationship between Grid and Damian, so they questioned it. More people wondered if Damian was actually a Korean.
***
Moscow, Russia.
The press conference held for the participants of the 2nd National Competition.
“…”
In the end, Kraugel didn’t attend.
***
Seoul, South Korea.
“Zibal doesn’t know anything. If he meets God Grid in the same event, he will eventually have to give God Grid the gold medal.”
Kang Daehan of the Korean Patriotic Association. His ID was Peak Sword in Satisfy and he was sitting in front of hundreds of reporters.
“And Hao? He doesn’t seem Chinese with how rude he is. Whether God Grid is nerfed or not, he is no match for God Grid.”
“Excuse me… Kang Daehan, why didn’t Yura and Youngwoo attend this interview…?”
“Also!”
Peak Sword didn’t answer the reporters’ questions. It was only 17 days until the National Competition. There was only one reason why Peak Sword attended this press conference despite being busy. It was to refute the words of rankers around the world.
Kung!
Peak Sword slammed his hand on the table and shouted.
“Bondre, the French person who called Koreans uncivilized because we eat dog meat! The French eat foie gras, which is far more atrocious! A pot calling the kettle black. Bondre, I will make you feel ashamed, so be prepared! Understood? Hooray South Korea!”
“…”
It was the moment when the National Competition’s press conference was turned into a Korean Patriotic Association meeting. The reporters thought it was silly, but also nice to have a character like Peak Sword in South Korea. He made them feel much better.
***
As the whole world was paying attention to the 2nd National Competition, Grid was still wandering the labyrinth.
[You have killed a cavalry knight.]
[16,112,300 experience has been acquired.]
‘Heok… Heok… Wow, I’m going crazy.”
He had spent a fortnight of Satisfy time trapped in the labyrinth. It was hard to keep moving through the dark labyrinth without knowing how much was left until the exit.
‘It might be different if the monsters are weak.’
The monster that appeared in the labyrinth were between level 400~420.
It took Grid at least three minutes to hunt one. The monsters were strong. Allowing one attack would decrease his health by at least one-fourth. If he met three or more monsters at once, it was hard to deal with them without relying on his immortality passive.
‘If it wasn’t for the immortal passive, I would’ve died and gone back to the 50th island.’
Just imagining it was horrible. Grid gulped and used magic.
[Magic Detection (Enhanced) Lv. 1 (93.1%)]
-The cooldown time is 4 minutes and 42 seconds-
‘Sigh…’
After entering the labyrinth, the newly acquired skill was almost at level 2. It was catching up with the level of Magic Missile. It showed how many times Grid had used Magic Detection, and how long he had travelled. Yet he still couldn’t find the exit…
Grid sighed and sat down. He would try and use Meditation to recover his health, mana, and stamina while waiting for the cooldown time of Magic Detection to end. But it was difficult to use Meditation since he needed the utmost concentration.
Grid was able to succeed in Meditation after two minutes.
[Entering a meditative state.]
[Increases health and mana regeneration rate by 50%, and stamina regeneration by 30%.]
[Skill cooldown time will be reduced by 10%.]
‘Not bad.’
At first, it took him more than five minutes to succeed in Meditation. Grid was fairly satisfied with the current speed of Meditation while thinking back to that time.
‘The level of the God Hands’ Sword Mastery has gone up by quite a lot.’
Grid had certainly improved when compared to before he entered the Behen Archipelago. He was proud that he didn’t walk on this path in vain. However…
‘When can I escape this labyrinth?’
He wanted to at least clear it before the National Competition began. Come to think of it, he should be able to use Magic Detection again. Grid got up and approached the three paths in front of him.
‘Magic Detection.’
Pahat!
Mana poured out as Grid tried to find life in one of the paths. However.
‘Eh?’
No signs of life were detected anywhere. This was the first time.
‘What am I supposed to do?’
According to Braham’s advice, the closer he was to the exit of the labyrinth, the bigger the risk. But all three paths had no danger, so Grid couldn’t help feeling confused.
‘Should I ask Braham for help again?’
He already relied on Assimilation when he faced a big crisis three days ago. If he waited for the cooldown of Assimilation to return, wouldn’t he need to wait at least six more days here? It was too big of a waste of time.
‘In the first place…’
He felt like he degenerated every time he depended on Braham.
‘Yes, haven’t I been doing it all by myself so far?’
How could he overcome this situation? Grid took a deep breath and focused his mind to the limits. Then he discovered an answer.
‘Perhaps?’
So far, monsters were waiting on all the paths he took…
‘Maybe I have already passed the labyrinth?’
It was possible that the exit was right in front of him. However, he couldn’t go back after stepping on a new path, so he was terrified.
‘It will produce a much more valuable result than staying here.’
If his thoughts were wrong and he fell into a new labyrinth, he would just need to find the way out again. Grid raised all his courage and took the path in the middle.
At that moment.
[You have succeeded in breaking through the labyrinth!]
[You have acquired 2,150 challenger points for the mission success.]
[You have entered Treasure Island (the 57th island)!!]
[Escape from Treasure Island in the next three minutes.]
“Ohh…! Ohhhhhh!”
Grid was extremely excited. It was strange not to get excited as the island full of gold and treasures appeared before him.
‘Today’s lunch is seafood jajang!’
The moment that Grid decided to summon Noe and Randy to get more treasures.
[Fog Island haunts this island.]
Treasure Island was covered with a thick fog.
“Ah.”
Grid shed tears. They were deep tears of regret.
Chapter 401
Chapter 401
[Fog Island haunts this island.]
“Ah…”
Grid had eagerly hoped to encounter Fog Island. It was because he had a lot of challenger points stored that could be exchanged for goods. But why? Why did it appear at this timing?
Flop.
Grid opened his mouth like a carp and sat down listlessly. He howled like a man who lost his country after seeing all the treasures disappearing in the fog.
“Treasure…!! My treasure!!!”
Grid had to go through many trials to reach this 57th island. The clone on the 41st island, the golden crowns, the strong monsters in the 50s islands and the labyrinth he just passed. The degree of difficulty for the Behen Archipelago was atrocious.
How good would it be if Fog Island had appeared in such a difficult area?
‘Then I wouldn’t have suffered so much…’
The probability of missing a bonus stage like Treasure Island would’ve fallen dramatically. But reality was a gutter.
“Dammit!”
Grid realized once again. Lady Luck had abandoned him.
It was rare for there to be such an unlucky person in the world.
“Damn!”
Grid kept weeping. If it was the Grid of the past, it would’ve taken him a considerable amount of time to escape from the shock. But now it was different. His spirit recovered fairly quickly.
‘…Still, the harder the island, the better the compensation.’
Let’s take an extreme example.
What if Fog Island appeared on the 41st island? Grid wouldn’t have met the clone and never had the chance to learn Linked Kill Wave and Pinnacle Kill.
‘Yes, it’s good that it didn’t show up on the 40th island.’
Grid developed his thinking skills and thought as positively as possible as he got up.
“It’s enough to get what I want.”
Grid wiped away his tears and walked through the thick fog. Then after a while, he saw a light. It was the light emitted by the pumpkin-shaped carriage. Grid identified the products on display as he approached the carriage.
‘Pass on the hidden classes.’
Fog Island sold a total of 13 hidden classes. The rare classes ranged from 1,000~15,000 challenger points. Currently, Grid had accumulated 31,001 challenger points and could purchase any of the class change books.
However, they didn’t catch his attention. Since the emergence of the third advancement classes, the value of the rare hidden classes had fallen. There was no reason to invest points in it.
‘Next are the skill books…’
There were a total of 46 skill books listed. The rating went from normal to unique. In particular, several unique rated active skills boasted outstanding abilities. However, Grid was a legend. He had the legendary skills, so there was no reason to be obsessed with unique rated skills.
The mastery skills were the exception.
[Skill Book: Weapons Mastery]
Rating: Normal
Type: Passive
The Weapons Mastery skill is generated.
Price: 6,000 Challenger Points.
Weapons Mastery raised the power of every type of weapon. It was the highest mastery skill.
“I have to learn this.”
Of course, Weapons Mastery had its drawbacks. The increase in abilities was small compared to the mastery skills that were specific to one weapon. But Grid didn’t care. Weapons Mastery was a skill with fantastic compatibility with Grid, who could use any weapon without restrictions.
‘Live!’
Over the past several months, he had worked hard collecting challenger points. Grid consumed 6,000 challenger points without hesitation.
[Skill Book: Weapons Mastery has been acquired.]
“Okay.”
Grid was delighted as he confirmed that the skill book had entered his inventory. He was happy that he got the skill he wanted.
“Learn it… Hrmm?”
The reason Grid purchased the skill book wasn’t just to look at it. He planned to acquire it immediately without letting it stay in the inventory for too long. Then he stopped moving as a skill book caught his eyes.
‘Magic Mastery!’
[Skill Book: Magic Mastery]
Rating: Normal
Type: Passive
The Magic Mastery skill is generated.
Price: 5,000 Challenger Points.
“Ummm…”
Magic Mastery? It increased magic power and shortened casting time. Of course, Magic Mastery wasn’t the same as the Weapons Mastery skill that could be learned from a skill book. This was because it needed a magician class to learn.
‘Originally, I would have no relation with this skill.’
But thanks to the Behen Archipelago, he had a chance to enter a new realm.
‘I can now learn magic from Braham through Assimilation…’
Learning Magic Mastery wouldn’t harm him.
‘No, this is a skill that must be learned.’
Grid had low intelligence and couldn’t master Braham’s magic. He could only learn the lowest level of magic. But how could Braham’s magic be common? Magic Missile (Enhanced) and Magic Detection (Enhanced) had features that were incomparable to magic of the same type that ordinary magicians had. He had to unconditionally learn Magic Mastery.
‘The price is too expensive.’
It cost 5,000 challenger points. He could buy at least 20 elixirs with that. Braham’s magic might be powerful, but was it enough to give up 20 elixirs? Grid worried about it for a while before deciding.
‘…I will learn it.’
Grid was looking into the future. He would keep levelling up and increasing intelligence. Then someday, he would be able to learn higher level magic from Braham. Grid bought the Magic Mastery skill book.
The result.
Remaining Challenger Points: 20,001
“Ugh….”
Grid had over 30,000 points just a while ago, so he felt pained seeing it fall to 20,000.
But!
‘It isn’t in vain.’
It was a skill book he purchased in order to become stronger. He shouldn’t be sorry. Grid controlled his heart and finally looked at the list of elixirs.
[Strength Elixir]
Permanently increases strength by 10 points.
Price: 250 Challenger Points.
[Stamina Elixir]
Permanently increases stamina by 10 points.
Price: 250 Challenger Points.
[Agility Elixir]
Permanently increases agility by 10 points.
Price: 250 Challenger Points.
[Intelligence Elixir]
Permanently increases intelligence by 10 points.
Price: 250 Challenger Points.
From a common sense of view, the most important stat for a blacksmith was stamina and then strength. However, Grid didn’t buy elixirs for those two stats. In the first place, his strength and stamina were high enough.
‘Right now, I need agility.’
Piaro had a strength to agility ratio of 1:1 when he was a great swordsman. Grid followed it in a desire to become stronger.
Name: Grid
Level: 306
Class: Pagma’s Descendant
Title: One who Became a Legend
Title: …
…
…
Strength: 2,830 (+160)
Stamina: 1,306 (+230)
Agility: 1,836 (+130)
Intelligence: 771 (+340)
Dexterity: 2,916 (+680)
Persistence: 1,102 (+130)
Composure: 718 (+130)
Indomitable: 973 (+240)
Dignity: 1,626 (+130)
Insight: 1,466 (+130)
Courage: 662 (+130)
Demonic Magic Power: 102
Stat Points: 6
…
…
“I should use all the remaining points to buy agility elixirs.”
20,000 points was at least 80 elixirs. It meant he could gain 800 agility at once, which was equal to 80 levels. Grid pressed the purchase button under the agility elixir.
[A consumable item. Please enter the number you want to purchase.]
Grid smiled with satisfaction at the notification window and was about to reply with ‘80’ when he stopped.
‘…Is this really right?’
If it was before he fought the clone, Grid wouldn’t have hesitated. Now he was different. He could learn magic due to assimilating with Braham’s soul, and at the same time, he acquired Magic Mastery. Wasn’t it right to invest in intelligence in order to take advantage of this?
‘Every time I level up, six points will be put in intelligence.’
If he gained 100 levels, he would only increase intelligence by 600 points. It was questionable if he could even learn Fire Ball before Braham’s soul left.
‘Yes, don’t be nervous and look at the future. I’m not tied to a legend. I will become a myth.’
He should look at the forest, not the trees. Grid took a deep breath as he recalled Lauel’s saying and opened his mouth.
; “I will buy 40 agility elixirs and 40 intelligence elixirs.”
Was being an all-rounder bad? Yes, a common all-rounder stunk. There were many people who weren’t strong or weak. But a legendary all-rounder was different. He would be an universal being.
Grid didn’t have any doubts as his eyes shone brighter than ever.
***
[You have learned Weapons Mastery.]
[Weapons Mastery Lv. 1]
* When a weapon is equipped, attack power will increase by 2% and attack speed by 1%.
[You have learned Magic Mastery.]
[Magic Mastery Lv. 1]
Increases magic power by 3% and reduces casting time by 1%.
[You have taken the agility elixir.]
[Agility has risen permanently by 400.]
[You have taken the intelligence elixir.]
[Intelligence has risen permanently by 400.]
He gained 800 stat points and two mastery skills at once. Now Grid was much stronger.
“Let’s speed up the process.”
Grid was full of confidence as he moved through the gate to the 58th island. The 58th island was a time attack type hunting dungeon. Grid was able to clear it within the time limit due to his increased attack and magic power.
At the same time, the level of Weapons Mastery and Magic Mastery rose steadily. The level of the monsters was over 400, but the Mastery skills were only beginner level, so the increase in experience was bound to be large.
Grid was thrilled with his growth.
Chapter 402
Chapter 402
Two months ago, the Overgeared members had difficulty hunting in the vampire cities. But this was old news. The Overgeared members had overcome various trials in the Behen Archipelago and made remarkable progress. No vampire except for Beriache’s direct descendants could threaten them.
A vampire city.
The members of Overgeared, who became stronger in the Behen Archipelago, were massacring the vampires.
–Kyaack!
–H-Hiik!
“…”
The expression ‘the monsters have dried up’ seemed to be used in this case. Lauel frowned after seeing the disappearing vampires and expressed his doubts.
“Everybody, didn’t you buy a East Continent Portal Scroll?”
“Huh? Of course.”
“After the elixirs and skill books, I used the remaining points to buy a portal scroll.”
“Then why are you here? Why aren’t you going to the East Continent?”
