by Park Saenal
“I’ll go there.”
The Overgeared members worried about the worst situation. One of them was Yura. But she stopped the Overgeared members who wanted to go to Bairan.
“Don’t be so hasty. It isn’t clear yet.”
What if Grid wasn’t there when they returned to Bairan? They would just suffer a meaningless death from the 100,000 troops. It was correct to wait for Grid to talk again.
“In the first place, Grid would’ve summoned his knights if he was really in danger.”
“…”
They were convinced after hearing about the knights summoning.
‘Youngwoo-ssi, I believe in you.’
Yura’s beautiful face was filled with a strong trust.
***
[Your demonic power has reached 10,000!]
[Your coordination with dark magic power has increased!]
[Resistance to dark magic will increase by 10%!]
[Resistance to divine magic will fall by 10%!]
[The functions of the Blackening skill has been upgraded!]
[One of the conditions for the memphis’ evolution is satisfied!]
His demonic power naturally rose due to the mass killing. Grid was relieved when he saw the notification windows.
‘So far, it’s positive.’
Demonic power was a stat that had opened since the best demonic beast of hell, Noe became his pet. Grid always felt anxious about going to hell if it rose to a high value. He thought he might change into a demon if his demonic power increased. Fortunately, it didn’t seem to be a species change just yet.
‘In the first place, it isn’t that easy to change species.’
In addition, it said that he could ‘freely’ access hell if his demonic power increased. This didn’t mean he would be forced there. Looking back, he wondered if his fear of demonic power had no basis.
‘I have Blackening and Noe, so it might be better for my demonic power to rise…’
As Noe and Blackening became stronger, his force would increase by one step. The penalty of divine power resistance falling? It was worth it. Grid had a high rapport with most religions, including the Rebecca Church. On the other hand, he was a complete enemy of the Yatan Church.
It meant Grid was more likely to be attacked by dark magic than divine magic. The effects of the increase in demonic power were appropriate for the current Grid.
Pa pa pa pa pak!
Hundreds of arrows fell towards Grid as he thought this. The magicians were destroyed by the five consecutive red phoenix summoning so the archers tried to slow down Grid. Grid instinctively avoided them and checked his health gauge.
[You have suffered 250 damage.]
[You have suffered 190…]
…
…
The arrows fell on Grid who was wearing Triple Layers. He ignored the arrows as he took a potion, rotated his body like a windmill and swept his greatsword through the hundreds of soldiers.
“Hah…”
Duke Lucilliv expressed his admiration. Grid swept through the formation in an instant. The biggest problem was Grid’s stamina. The duke thought Grid would become tired after some time, but he was still fine.
‘There’s no end to this damage. I have no choice but to send them in.’
Kkuok!
Duke Lucilliv made a decision.
“My brave soldiers! Cut off the head of the rebel!”
At the same time.
“Waaaaaaaaah!”
The soldiers of Duke Lucilliv that were on the walls. The soldiers in golden armor jumped down from the walls. They rushed wildly towards Grid. The moonlight shining on their golden armor was spectacular.
-Finally, the elite troops!
-It’s the real battle from now on.
The soldiers in the golden armor were different. Their strength seemed different from ordinary soldiers and the actual movements wasn’t ordinary. They moved through the allied soldiers and quickly reached Grid.
“For the glory of Duke Lucilliv!”
“Die!”
The golden soldiers aimed their weapons at Grid. The players belonging to Eternal didn’t miss this gap.
“Now is the perfect time!”
“We will go!”
These players were highly trusted by Duke Lucilliv. They believed that Grid would show weaknesses during the process of fighting the golden soldiers. The moment that the golden soldiers were about to hit Grid.
“The timing is great.”
Kakiing.
There were 113 white spheres hovering around Grid. They became rays that shot in every direction. This was the effect of Alarm.
Pepepepeok!
“Kuaaaaak!”
“Cough!”
The golden soldiers in the lead screamed.
“Pagma’s Swordsmanship, Wave.”
Kurururung!
A blue wave of energy swallowed the area around Grid. Grid’s eyes widened as the golden soldiers died.
[You have defeated an elite soldier of Duke Lucilliv.]
[A Sharp Longsword has been acquired.]
[A gold nugget has been acquired.]
[A gold nugget has been acquired.]
[A gold nugget…]
…
…
“…Wow.”
The soldiers Grid killed so far only gave old weapons or leather. However, Duke Lucilliv’s golden soldiers gave him gold. Soldiers giving him gold? Grid’s eyes became larger.
[Gold Nugget]
It is worth 50 gold.
Weight: 5
A gold nugget worth 60,000 won was in his inventory! Grid became too excited and revealed a gap. The players mixed in among the golden soldiers and rushed towards Grid. The third advancement players succeeded in approaching Grid.
“Grid, I have no hard feelings towards you!”
“Please understand that it is because of the quest rewards!”
The rankers made excuses as they used skills.
Kwarururung!
The intense skills of the third advancement users would kill Grid.
“I don’t have hard feelings towards you either. But please leave your items behind.”
“…!”
Did he really relax and allowed a surprise attack? Question marks appeared over the heads of the high rankers.
Kwa kwa kwa kwang!
Grid’s health fell by one-third after being hit by the skills of the high rankers. Yes, one-third. Grid’s defense and health was ridiculously high, making it rare for him to lose a lot of health in one go. But the high rankers had thought differently. They had been determined to put Grid in at least a critical condition with those attacks. But Grid only lost one-third of his health?
‘What is this defense?’
‘Crazy overgeared!’
The high rankers turned pale. Something glittered when they were trying to link up with the following skills. It was a very thin thread. It shone in the moonlight.
‘What is this?’
The moment they had that question.
“You will be my shield.’
Kwack!
Grid’s grim voice was heard in their ears as a silver thread wrapped around them and restrained them.
[Your body is bound by something unknown!]
[It is a powerful binding! It isn’t easy to escape! This will last for 5 seconds.]
“What…?”
Five seconds of captivity? The bodies of the high rankers floated in the air. They were tied up like a spider web and were beaten by the golden soldiers.
-Wow…
-Look at Grid’s smile.
Grid used the silver thread with dazzling hand techniques and five high rankers hung behind him as a barrier. It was in stark contrast to his expression. Grid was smiling while the high rankers were crying. This sight could only be seen as disturbing.
One of the rankers who was bloody from the golden soldiers’ attacks couldn’t help asking.
“Overg… is it possible to join Overgeare
d?”
Chapter 563
Chapter 563
The silver thread unfolded like a spider web and refracted beautifully in the moonlight. The flashing silver was reminiscent of a chandelier and Grid in the center was like an arrogant king. He looked around with cold eyes. He was so tranquil that it was hard to believe he was isolated among tens of thousands of enemy soldiers. He caused the audience and give high rankers captured by him to feel thrilled.
“Overg…is it possible to join Overgeared?”
It wasn’t because their life was at risk. The high rankers felt a real dignity from Grid. They had a desire to follow him from the bottom of their hearts. They couldn’t help falling for Grid’s absolute power and dignity. However, Grid misunderstood. They had just tried to kill him before asking to join the guild, so how could they be sincere?
‘These guys are speaking lame things because they don’t want to die.’
Even stupid people wouldn’t fall for it!
‘I am different. Hut!’
Grid gained a lot of insight from his accumulated experience. Setting aside his insight stat, Grid’s mind managed to puzzle out the intentions of the five high rankers.
“No. I won’t accept you.”
“…?!”
The rankers were very embarrassed. Who were they? Rankers who achieved their third advancement. They were in the top 10 of the rankings for their class. The Seven Guilds also wanted to recruit them. Yet Grid refused to let them join the guild after they applied for membership? They could only think of one reason.
‘Is it because we tried to kill him?’
They could understand Grid’s feelings. How could Grid trust those who tried to kill him and the guild members? The high rankers wouldn’t accept it, let alone Grid.
‘Then it can’t be helped.’
‘I will humbly accept my death today and pledge to him next time.’
The high rankers hanging from the silver thread closed their eyes. They expected Grid to kill them. However, it wasn’t Grid who attacked them. It was Duke Lucilliv’s golden soldiers.
Puuok!
Puuoook!
The blades that aimed for Grid ended up hitting the high rankers that were used as shields.
“Cough!”
The golden soldiers were second advancement soldiers. The soldiers of Duke Lucilliv exerted strength different to the Eternal soldiers.
Flinch.
Grid hesitated as he was about to deal the final blow to the high rankers who groaned with pain. Far away, in the central square of the city. It was because he saw soldiers of Eternal aiming their bows at the people of Bairan.
‘Those bastards!’
They couldn’t overpower him, so they wanted to use hostages!
‘Why?’
Why was it always the weak who needed to make one-sided sacrifices? The unhappy memories of his school days made him feel more unpleasant. Grid grimaced and his face distorted like a demon. He was above to move there when he stopped.
‘Stay calm.’
The old Grid would’ve run over right away to rescue the hostages. But in the process of making the Red Phoenix Bow, he realized how important it was to be calm. He tried to remain calm as he thought about what his best choice would be. First, he killed the enemies attacking the high rankers before bringing the rankers in front of him.
“…?”
The high rankers were confused when they were freed from the silver thread. They expected to die. It was five seconds of captivity. It was possible to shorten the time depending on the individual’s ability. However, it would still allow Grid to strike them once.
Being hit by Grid made it highly likely they would die instantly. In other words, Grid could kill them at any time. Yet he was sparing them?
The rankers were puzzled as Grid continued to beat the enemies.
“As I said earlier, I have no intention of accepting your application to join the guild. I can’t trust people who tried to kill me just a moment ago. Isn’t that right? But I will give you a chance.”
“…?”
“From now on, you will fight for me. Cut down any enemies blocking my way.”
“…!”
It was a test to see if they deserved to be members of Overgeared. It was good that Grid was testing them. It was a golden opportunity and an inspiring event for the high rankers.
‘Giving us a chance before punishing us for trying to kill him? Grid has great personal skills!’
‘I now understand why other bigwigs are following him.’
Grid had excellent insight that could look into a person’s heart. The high rankers replied to Grid at once.
“We’re going!”
Pahat!
The high rankers shouted and surrounded Grid at once. They started to slaughter the golden soldiers targeting Grid. They were indeed high rankers in each class. Duke Lucilliv’s soldiers couldn’t interrupt them. Grid felt relief when he saw it.
‘I thought they were going to hit me in the back of the head. Fortunately, they didn’t.’
Indeed, it was important to maintain his composure. It was possible for the high rankers to deal with a large number of soldiers while he rescued the hostages. Grid equipped the Ideal Dagger and used Quick Movements to run towards Bairan’s residents.
***
‘The golden soldiers are just bait!’
Duke Lucilliv knew how endless human greed was. Despite being second in the kingdom and having tremendous wealth, he still wanted more wealth. He was confident that Grid was the same as him. Grid would briefly lose his mind when the golden soldiers dropped gold lumps every time they died. In this gap, Duke Lucilliv would act.
The central square. After making it seem like the residents of Bairan were going to be killed, he placed magic traps, guards and elite knights in the streets that Grid would have to go through.
‘He will definitely want to protect the people.’
Grid was bound to fall into this perfect trap!
“Kukuk!”
Duke Lucilliv smiled wickedly. The Bairan residents under the silence magic inwardly screamed.
‘Duke Grid, you absolutely can’t come here.’
‘Don’t fall into the trap of that evil person because of us!’
Tremble tremble.
Despite death being around the corner, they were worried about Grid. It was natural. Grid confronted the 100,000 troops to save them. The people had no choice but to care about Grid who tried to save them. Duke Lucilliv felt excited while the villagers’ fear created a heavy atmosphere. On the other hand, the soldiers felt strong doubts.
‘Why are we serving the Eternal Kingdom?’
‘It’s true that we were born and raised in the Eternal Kingdom. Therefore, we love the kingdom and paid the taxes. But the kingdom treats us like cattle.’
‘Being forced to sacrifice ourselves because of a war…’
‘Taking the lives of innocent people…’
The behavior shown by the kingdom they served wasn’t good. The 60,000 non-regular soldiers were disappointed in the kingdom. They started to doubt the reasons for their loyalty. This was the result of Duke Lucilliv’s behavior.
Duke Lucilliv had royal blood flowing in him. As a great noble of the Eternal Kingdom, his duty should be to save the people. Yet he didn’t act like this at all and it made the non-regular soldiers think that all nobles were like Duke Lucilliv. Most of the non-regular soldiers conscripted from their respective territories saw the actions of Duke Lucilliv.
Then what about Grid? He was different.
In the distance.
Kuwang!
Kwa kwa kwa kwang!
Grid ran through the enemy in order to save his people. Despite his body becoming bloody, he only looked at the people and not himself. The non-regular soldiers started thinking. This was a person they wanted to serve.
On the other hand, Duke Lucilliv thought that Grid looked stupid.
“Putting yourself in danger to save these peo
ple, I can’t understand it at all. Well, I’m able to gain larger achievements thanks to you.”
Duke Lucilliv didn’t read that the atmosphere of the soldiers was changing. For him, the common people were just pigs without any brains. He couldn’t even think that they would dare to oppose him. As Grid’s momentum rose, the duke proudly grasped his bow. Then he aimed it at one of the beautiful residents of Bairan.
“If you can’t protect what you want to protect… Will your heart hurt?”
Kkirik!
He wanted to see Grid scream. The moment that Duke Lucilliv smiled wickedly and was about to pull back the bowstring.
Peeeeeong!
There was a loud sound in Duke Lucilliv’s ears.
“What?”
Duke Lucilliv perceived danger and instinctively paled.
Next.
Teong!
One of the senior magicians guarding Duke Lucilliv was stabbed by a spear that pierced through the shield magic. The magician’s eyes widened.
‘Breaking the shield with an ordinary spear?’
How great was the person who threw this spear?
The other magicians and Duke Lucilliv all turned their eyes in the direction the spear came from. A soldier stood there. He was wearing leather armor that was covered with dirt and blood. He was a very handsome man with noble blond hair that didn’t match the rest of him.
Private Ars. His face was delighted as he gazed at Duke Lucilliv.
‘I finally reached here.’
It was a really long time. Ars had been sleep deprived for several days as he kept staring at Duke Lucilliv in order to find a gap. It wasn’t easy when Duke Lucilliv always had guards by his side. Now it happened thanks to Grid.
“I’ll finish it quickly for My Lord.”
Now that the loyalty of the non-regular soldiers was collapsing, the effect would be magnified if he defeated Duke Lucilliv, the one oppressing them. Most non-regular soldiers would put down their weapons and this war would end. Ars rushed towards Duke Lucilliv.
“Stop him!”
The magicians beside Duke Lucilliv tried to cast spells but it was too late. Ars narrowed the distance to Duke Lucilliv in an instant.
“You!”
The moment Duke Lucilliv felt his life being threatened!
Pahat!
The spear about to pierce Duke Lucilliv’s body disappeared in a flash of light, along with Ars.
