by Park Saenal
Lauel started directing the troops again.
“Set the forest on fire!”
Was it to suppress the Korean army that started to move in response to Grid? The NPCs set fire to the forest and Lauel used Wind Dragon’s Breath, quickly turning the area into a sea of fire.
“Restrain the actions of the enemies!”
Lauel ordered without hesitation. The magicians summoned stone and ice barriers to forcibly lock Grid into a limited space. But the barriers built by the magicians were nothing in front of Grid.
Kwa kwa kwa kwang!
“T-This is impossible.”
The magicians doubted their eyes. It was an unbelievable sight, the barriers summoned by investing a lot of mana were shattered with a single blow by Grid. In the end, Lauel had no choice but to use Zephyr, who was keeping Peak Sword and Yura in check.
The 1st ranked acrobat, Zephyr. He was a man skilled in using tricks to distract the enemy with his agile and abnormal behavior. When Kraugel attacked the US, Zephyr was low on mana and couldn’t act against Kraugel. But Zibal declared that Zephyr’s footwork was excellent.
“Zephyr, please tie up Grid’s feet. In the meantime, I will take the Korean base.”
“I understand.”
Pahat!
The monster who killed the 2nd ranked user and six third advancement NPCs in an instant, Grid. Zephyr showed no signs of tension as he headed towards Grid. He believed in his skills.
‘He might be a monster, but he can’t cope with my acrobatics.’
It was funny that he had to just buy time.
“Kyakyakyakyak!”
Zephyr burst out into bizarre laughter while jumping over Grid’s head and spinning like a spintop. It wasn’t a meaningless act, but the activation of his ‘Acrobat’s Laugh’ skill. The enemies who heard the laughter would temporarily lose their hearing and become confused.
But Grid resisted.
Zephyr didn’t panic. He already knew that Grid had status resisting capabilities.
“Kikikikikik!”
Nevertheless, the reason he laughed was because he didn’t want the enemies to approach him and to also raise his morale.
“Why are you repeating it?”
The confusion was resisted, but the sound of the laughter was terrible. Grid frowned and swung Iyarugt towards the approaching Zephyr.
Pahat!
Red light scattered like jewels and cut at Zephyr’s body.
Peeeeeong!
“Kuk!”
A powerful explosion occurred and Grid groaned. It wasn’t Zephyr that Grid attacked, but a Zephyr clone with the ability to explode. Beyond the smoke, Zephyr’s eyes were curved like a crescent moon.
“Beast’s Ring.”
Peeng!
A blazing ring of fire was created around Grid.
‘What?’
Like an elephant, a large cerberus appeared and jumped towards Grid in the center of the ring. The momentum was so terrifying that Grid reflexively took a defensive posture. However, no shock was delivered. The cerberus penetrated through Grid and the ring and disappeared like it was a lie.
‘What is this?’
A mere trick? This pointless skill… Grid flinched the moment he thought this. It was because the burning ring, centered around him, had started to flare up.
‘It is popping!’
Grid retreated with surprise and at this moment, Zephyr threw 12 balls that he had been rolling around in his hands.
Pepepepeok!
“Kyakyakyak! Does it hurt?”
Zephyr headed towards Grid, who was once again swept away by the explosion. He was overflowing with confidence. Even if he couldn’t kill Grid, he was confident that he could play around with Grid for an hour. Of course, he was too arrogant.
“It doesn’t hurt.”
Step.
Grid stepped forward from the smoke. He spoke to Zephyr, who was summoning hundreds of doves.
“You will die in five seconds.”
Grid had countless combat experience. He might not be smart, but he could quickly understand the characteristics of the enemies and judge how to cope with it. That’s how he could say this.
“Kyakyakyakyak! I don’t know what you are talking about!”
Zephyr burst out laughing like it was really funny and the hundreds of doves flew towards Grid. Grid’s field of view narrowed as hundreds of flapping wings and beaks threatened him. Disgusting things like bird dung and feathers also fell down. But Grid wasn’t shaken. He depended on all his buffs to rush in Zephyr’s direction.
‘It’s difficult since he’s resistant.’
Zephyr clicked his tongue and took off his hat. The moment Grid attacked him, he planned to pull out a turtle to defend, and then a rabbit to increase his movement speed and fight back. But Grid was too fast. He stabbed as soon as he arrived, not giving Zephyr time to pull out a turtle or rabbit. Inevitably, he had to use Clown’s Tears.
It was the ultimate skill that caused a hallucinogenic effect on nearby targets and increase evasion rate by as much as 70%. If he combined all his items, titles and class effects, it was an additional 21%, giving him an evasion rate of 91%. It would be difficult to hit the current Zephyr even with targeted skills. It was no different from being invincible.
However…
Puk!
“Cough!”
Zephyr’s heart was pierced by a sword. Questions rose at the unexpected pain.
‘Why can’t I avoid it?’
He evaded Grid’s sword, only to be drawn back like there was a magnet. It was a phenomenon that couldn’t be understood. Zephyr coughed up blood as Grid dealt a second blow.
Puok!
“Kuheok…!”
Why? Why couldn’t he avoid the enemy’s attack? Zephyr was filled with intense doubts when he suddenly had a hypothesis.
‘Don’t tell me that his accuracy exceeds my evasion rate?’
It was ridiculous. There was no way such a fraudulent accuracy existed.
‘It’s just luck…!’
Zephyr denied it as he died.
“…”
Silence filled the battlefield. This was Zephyr. One of the leading rankers was easily dismissed by Grid. However, the silence didn’t last long.
“What are you doing? Sweep them all away!”
At Grid’s cry, the South Korean representatives and NPCs attacked the US forces.
“Shoot! Shoot!”
The US archers and magicians resisted. They made Grid their top priority, so all of Grid’s attacks were focused on Grid. However, Grid’s defense had doubled. No matter how strong the third advancement users were, they couldn’t deal a fatal injury. In particular, the Holy Light set resisted some of the magic attacks. His items were really great. Grid used the ability of Elfin Stone’s ring to maintain his health as the enemy bombarded him.
There was a bright smile on Lauel’s face as they met face-to-face.
“I am proud of you.”
Usually, he was criticized for only using items. But Lauel knew. A person also needed abilities to utilize their items. A pig wearing a pearl necklace? In particular, Grid actively showed the use of strategies with their items. Lauel was thrilled by the dramatic growth.
“If you have no talent, you wouldn’t have grown to this point. Perhaps you could keep trying because you were stupid. I sincerely respect you.”
Lauel was touched and spoke tearfully. But Grid felt offended.
‘Is that a compliment or a curse?’
Anyway.
“Can’t you tell the difference between business and personal matters? Stop being so delighted.”
Right now, Grid was the representative of South Korea. In addition, he fought with his colleagues rather than fighting alone. He couldn’t be beaten on purpose by Lauel. Lauel understood. He was in the same position as Grid.
“I can.”
“…?”
There was something strange. He was speaking from the standpoint of the winner…
The worst result appeared the moment Grid sensed it.
[Your castle was occupied by the enemy!]
It was the notification window that signalled South Korea’s defeat in the siege. Lauel smiled at Grid.
“Setting fire to the forest was a signal to Skull.”
“…”
Siege didn’t support the party chat or whisper function. The organizers were hoping for a more realistic and dramatic war to be produced. Thus, Grid was careless.
Grid was very sad.
The result of the first siege match. As expected, South Korea lost. But the world didn’t condemn or mock South Korea. Everyone, regardless of race or nationality, praised the Korean representatives, especially Grid.
“Well fought!”
Grid received more praise than when he won the gold medal. This meant that Grid showed an amazing scene. Now Grid was growing to be someone’s subject of envy.
Chapter 431
Chapter 431
The NPC called Swan.
He had the unique skills of ‘Adaptation’ and ‘Escape.’
Adaptation showed the effect of ‘increased speed of recovery from abnormal conditions,’ ‘decreased terrain penalty,’ and ‘decrease in the usage conditions of items.’ Escape had the effect of ‘never being caught by the enemy and never dying in combat.’
Grid had an idea the moment he saw Swan with the Great Lord’s Sword. He gave Swan the role that he originally intended for himself, under the assumption that Lauel predicted all his thoughts and actions and prepared countermeasures for them. It was to convince the enemy that Swan was Grid and make them follow Lauel’s plan.
The result was commendable. Swan was armed with Grid’s Greatsword and Triple Layers. He was recognized as Grid and served as good bait for Skull’s group. The US determined that Lauel’s plan was a success and completely erased their guard against Grid.
Thanks to this, Grid could act freely. He waited until the buff effect of the Motley Flail was activated and successfully pushed the US into a crisis.
The result was a defeat.
***
After the end of the siege.
The resurrected NPCs gathered around Grid. The NPCs in the US team seemed to be resurrected as well. The NPCs for the siege weren’t disposable. At least, in the server dedicated to the National Competition, they enjoyed eternal life, just like players.
“I’m sorry. I was unable to properly perform my role as bait.”
Swan apologized and looked at Grid.
Grid alternated looking between him and Lucky. He was filled with a powerful possessive desire to have them.
‘I want to take them to Reidan…’
Third advancement NPCs. The level was nearly twice as high as the soldiers in Reidan, and a lot of them were able to deal with the unbuffed Grid. In addition, Lucky had the good luck special stat and Swan had skills that would be useful in raids. But Grid had to end this relationship here. They would only temporarily be used for a limited amount of time in the National Competition.
“You did nothing wrong. I’m sorry that you lost because I was lacking.”
Those who were originally in a high position couldn’t easily recognize their mistakes because they had a lot to lose, and were also good at passing on responsibility. But Grid was the opposite. He apologized to Swan and even knocked on his shoulder to encourage him.
Swan was thrilled because he was a noble person with humility and responsibility. There was a growing sense of respect in his heart. Grid reached out to the thrilled Swan. Did he want to shake hands?
‘A noble man is shaking hands with someone like me…’
The moment the excited Swan grabbed Grid’s hand.
“What are you doing?”
“…Huh?”
There was rising resentment in Grid’s eyes as he looked at the bewildered Swan.
“Are you planning to keep my items?”
“Ah…”
He could feel killing intent. The frightened Swan hurriedly started to take off Grid’s items that he had been wearing for a while. Grid also gave back Swan’s items.
“…”
The two men had an expression of regret as they changed items. Someday, they hoped to meet again. On the other hand, the magician Lucky was staring at Grid in a hot and sticky manner.
‘The taste of hitting was very good…’
He couldn’t forget the thrilling feeling whenever his flail hit Grid’s hard muscles. Due to Grid, Lucky got a new hobby. Unfortunately, his everyday life was destined to be difficult.
***
Thanks to the match between South Korea and the United States, other countries were able to gather useful information.
First, the NPCs had hidden abilities. Second, the NPCs could be armed with new items. Third, there was no need to be deceived by the eight paths.
“It’s a simple matter if you walk through the center.”
The shortest and widest path. It was better to concentrate their forces on the most efficient path, rather than disperse their forces and take risks on inaccurate plans. Most of the countries thought this, making the siege matches very monotonous.
The moment the siege started, they gathered in the central path and fought. The country who won there would win the siege. Of course, it wasn’t just a contest of power. The battle tactics was the key. The representatives of each country distributed their items as efficiently as possible, armed and strengthened the NPCs, and fought against the enemies in an extraordinary manner.
As a result, the siege event maintained a steady high audience rating and produced many conversations. But the South Korea vs US match received the highest ratings.
Grid broke his existing image of ‘ignorant overgeared’ person and prepared a lot, while Lauel’s brains made everything useless. Grid’s destructive force which smashed the US formations.
The South Korea vs US match had more elements to stimulate the viewers than any other match. Grid and Lauel’s reputations rose in an incomparable manner, and this was directly linked to the rise in awareness for the Overgeared Guild.
***
The National Competition’s third day.
After the round of 32, round of 16 and the quarterfinals, the four finalists were decided. Under the power of Damian, Japan earned the nickname of the ‘Strongest Army.’ Russia had Kraugel, who broke through the enemy and reached the castle. The world’s strongest United States.
Thus far, there was nothing big. People predicted that the US and Japan would enter the finals, and Russia’s actions were also within prediction range. But Argentina was different. Few people expected Argentina to advance to the semi-finals. Even the people of Argentina didn’t expect it. Argentina was one of the countries weak in Satisfy, and they didn’t even qualify for the 1st National Competition. They were almost the same as South Korea.
But they advanced into the top four and were facing the strongest countries. How did they do it?
Seuron. The result was due to his absolute force.
“Soul Predator…”
The reserved audience seats. The South Korea representatives, including Yura and Peak Sword, kept a close eye on Seuron. They weren’t the only ones. Players from all countries were concentrating on Seuron as they watched the siege. It was due to Seuron’s presence. His strength was comparable to Kraugel, Damian, and Grid.
‘This is the dignity of combat specific classes.’
Seuron’s unique combat ability to exploit the souls of enemy and allied corpses to increase his own strength was perfect. It was difficult to find any weak points in all aspects of physical attack, magic attack, defense, resistance, AOE , CC, etc.
‘I think that even God Grid will find it hard against Seuron…’
Peak Sword had this thought, despite being a passionate follower of Grid. But Grid had no interest in Seuron. Grid was only focused on Kraugel.
‘How can he think about moving like that?’
&nbs
p; Kraugel’s movements avoided all the concentrated attacks of dozens of NPCs while breaking through the enemy at the same time. Grid couldn’t even imagine the movements, let alone mimic it. Grid realized one thing.
‘Imagination.’
Maybe this imagination was one of the important elements of his strength? It was a tremendous weapon because Kraugel could move in ways that others didn’t expect. It was movement beyond predictions. However, did a person have to be smart to be imaginative?
In other words…
‘He is good at fighting and smart?’
Grid recalled that he heard people who were smart were good at sports.
“This is very annoying.”
It was a desperate reality for Grid who wasn’t smart. He felt like he faced a higher barrier than an average person living in this world. The Grid in the past would’ve trembled with anger and lamented.
‘But I’m not useless.’
Grid now knew. It was much more profitable to overcome this than to blame his own talent.
“Umm…”
Grid grew more and more focused as he watched Kraugel. He was devising methods to win against Kraugel in PvP.
At that moment.
Ttiring~
A mail arrived on Youngwoo’s phone.
‘Is it Sehee?’
A phone that almost never rang. He expected it to be from his parents or sister, only to find something interesting. Comet Group. It was a mail from one of the domestic companies that offered to sponsor Grid.
[Shin Youngwoo-nim.
We’ve been watching your activities in the National Competition with great interest. As a Korean citizen, I feel very proud and thankful. If you don’t mind, can we discuss the contract that was cancelled the other day? We will do our best to satisfy you. Please give us a positive response.
Head of the Public Relations Team, Yook Shihyun.]
It was the company that offered him 300 million. 300 million. He couldn’t deny that it was a huge amount of money to receive just for wearing the mark of the Comet Group on his chest. However, Grid’s value was much higher than that. It wasn’t a baseless pride. Weren’t there articles about Zibal got 3.6 billion from the world class company Radidas?
