by Park Saenal
“They should at least give me something.”
Grid’s gratitude for the intelligence he acquired every time he cleared a new floor was already being diluted. The greedy Grid was now hoping for more. Did he read his master’s mind?
“Nyang…! Nyaaaaong!” Out of nowhere, Noe stood up on his hind feet. Then he moved his front paws from left to right like a bear, roaring in a threatening manner.
…Perhaps 100 out of 100 people would say that it was cute. However, something serious was happening to Noe.
“W-What? What happened?”
Was his stomach upset from eating like a pig? Grid rushed to Noe with worry and stroked Noe’s protruding belly. “Do you think your stomach will burst? Do you want to puke?”
“Nyaaaaong!” Noe shook his head. It was a strong denial.
Grid saw the pink soles of Noe’s feet and asked again, “Then what are you doing all of a sudden? Did you go crazy?”
“Kyaong! I am the best demonic beast of hell! Master is the crazy person, nyong!”
“…”
Was this a rebellion? Grid was confused by Noe’s actions and retreated backward. There was a flash around Noe’s body! It was a brilliant and intense light. It hurt Grid’s eyes, and he was forced to turn his head away.
‘What…?’
It didn’t take long for the light to gradually lose its momentum. Grid confirmed it and looked at Noe. Then he got a shock. “N-Noe!!”
“Nya…! Nyaaaaong!”
Like a pooing baby, Noe’s legs were up, and he was screaming. He was changing. Noe’s black fur began to brighten while the small horns on his forehead split into two.
“Nyaaaaong!” Noe let out a strong roar that was different from the past. His now longer and brighter fur turned golden, and his head became slightly more rounded. Noe’s white horns had been split in two and were now smaller than before. The change was easily expressed.
“…Why have you become cuter?”
That’s right. Noe’s transformation made him even cuter and more lovable. It wasn’t an exaggeration to call him beautiful. He was a perfect pet that anyone would want to have. Noe seemed to be a species that had improved over several generations to meet humanity’s sense of beauty.
It was difficult to call him a ‘demonic beast’ of hell. Perhaps it was a deterioration? Was Noe’s body worsened after overeating?
Grid was wrapped in anxiety. Then he noticed something strange. There were sparks flying around Noe’s body. They were like the sparks that had wrapped around the lightning god. Then a notification window popped up.
[The memphis ‘Noe’ has succeeded in the evolution!]
[Name: Noe
Species: Memphis
Level: 1 (0/10,000)
Affinity: 100/100
Health: 10,000/10,000
Physical Attack Power: 160
Magic Attack Power: 160
Defense: 160
Magic Resistance: 160
Attribute: Dark, Lightning
Status: Narcissistic
(I will further develop, nyang! I will make myself stronger like the best demonic beast of hell! Nyahahahat!!)
Skills: Fluidization (S), Scratch (S), Soul Ingestion (SSS), Lightning Discharge!! (SSS)]
[Discharge!! Lv. 1]
[The electricity will be turned on when something other than your master approaches. Attacks up to 10 enemies with 10 times the magic damage, and there is a very high chance of causing electrical shock.
Cooldown Time: None]
“…”
It was an enormous evolution. Noe’s stats were now overwhelmingly high compared to when Grid first got him. They were three to six times higher. Yes, compared to when he first got Noe… Compared to level 1…
“Nyahahat! Master! Isn’t this body cool, nyong? It is enough to be captivated!” Noe was filled with pride. He licked his chest fur with a short red tongue.
The temples of the silent Grid twitched. “…Is this a joke?”
“Nyang?”
“Why…? Why?! Why did you reset to level 1?”
This was an excuse, but he had gotten the Overgeared Skeletons so late that it was hard to level them up. The enemies that Grid faced were too strong for the Overgeared Skeletons. In order to train the Overgeared Skeletons, he would have to move to a novice hunting area, but Grid didn’t have enough time for this.
However, Noe was different. Noe had been with Grid from early on, and they had grown together. Recently, Noe’s level had reached as high as level 300. Now, it had been reset to level 1. The thousands in stat points had fallen to hundreds, making it an obvious deterioration.
Of course, Noe’s potential was much higher now. However, Grid couldn’t help thinking that the past few years had been in vain. Grid couldn’t understand the terrible reality and mourned for the loss.
“It’s okay, Master. Feed me a lot of delicious food like today, and I will quickly become stronger again. Cheer up, nyong. Treat me to delicious food!”
“…Delicious like today?”
Grid suddenly recalled the information of a mineral.
[Thunder Stone]
[A mineral that is produced only when the great demon, Astaroth, is present in the human world.
The lightning attribute can be given to an item, and it is also good for feeding to demonic beasts.
The demonic beast will be very pleased when fed.
Weight: 5]
“…”
A few years ago, Grid fought with Prince Ren of the Eternal Kingdom. Grid had defeated Eternal’s first archer Ferrel and won the Thunder Bow. The Thunder Bow was a solid weapon passed down through Ferrel’s family. However, it then met Grid, and Grid had disassembled it without caring. As a result, he obtained three thunder stones.
The description of the mineral said that ‘demonic beasts’ would like it, but Grid had never thought of feeding the thunder stones to Noe. That was natural. It wasn’t a question of affection but an extremely normal attitude. Who in the world would throw away a precious mineral that was only produced when a great demon appeared in the world?
…Especially to an animal that was quick to die.
‘…No, Nyangmong would do it. Ah?’
Something flashed in Grid’s head. The thunder stone was a symbol of Astaroth’s emergence, and it was here in the empire.
“Then Gyuratan is…”
…Astaroth. Grid had a poor mind and came to this conclusion late.
‘Dispose of the thunder stone.’
Grid knew from his past experience with Hell Gao that destroying the thunder stone located at the top of the magic tower would weaken Gyuratan’s power, and weakening Gyuratan was a sure way to save Mercedes from her crisis.
“Noe! Come eat!”
“Nyang?”
There was no hesitation once his purpose was clear. Grid immediately ran to the staircase leading upstairs. There was someone waiting for him.
“I am pleased to see the Overgeared King.”
It was a child, a young girl who looked four or five years old. Grid identified the name of the girl who greeted him politely and was shocked. “Goldhit…?”
Magician king… The identity of the strongest magician right now was a little girl? Grid felt something beyond confusion.
At this moment, there were people even more confused than Grid at the imperial palace…
“Demonkin…? How dare a mere demonkin break into the palace!”
‘Kuk…! Why are those greedy magicians messing around with the thunder stone?’ It was Gyuratan, the Great Demon Astaroth. As his identity was revealed, Mercedes accepted this moment as a chance, though she still didn’t know that it was caused by Grid.
However, a big chance was accompanied by great danger. Mercedes wasn’t wearing armor or holding a weapon, so she couldn’t withstand Gyuratan’s assault. Gyuratan blew away the knights and cut at Mercedes’ chest.
“Mercedes?” The emperor uttered.
He had persecuted her, yet she was
defending him? The emperor’s eyes shook as blood filled his vision.
Chapter 803
Chapter 803
“Kid.”
The girl on the stairs was really small and didn’t even reach Grid’s waist. Grid couldn’t accept the name that floated above the girl’s head. Goldhit? It was ridiculous that this girl could be the magician king.
“What is your name? Why are you in a place like this? Where did your parents go?”
The girl made a guileless expression. Simultaneously, laughter emerged from her that was far from innocent. It was reminiscent of an old lady’s laugh. “Yohoho… I am Goldhit. Some people call me the magician king.”
“…Is this real?” Grid could no longer deny reality and his mouth dropped open. Where was the appearance of the old woman who was over 120 years old? Even the elves, famous for their longevity, wouldn’t look like this. Grid regained his spirit and asked, “Is this due to magic?”
Goldhit nodded with her plaited red hair moving cutely. “Correct. Magic is an area that creates miracles. I have been constantly trying to obtain the ultimate miracle, and as a result, I look like this now. Yohohoho.”
He should’ve noticed from the name ‘Tower of Eternity.’ Grid immediately realized what was the ‘ultimate miracle’ that Goldhit wanted.
‘Eternal life…’
However, it went against providence. Grid bet that Goldhit had been pointed at and reprimanded by countless people for all sorts of reasons. Yet Grid didn’t reproach her. After all, didn’t Grid want Khan to have eternal life, and wasn’t he afraid of Irene’s death? Grid understood Goldhit’s wish.
“Amazing. Using magic to regain youth…”
Goldhit was indeed worthy of being called the magician king. While Grid was admiring her, Goldhit made a subtle expression. “Your Majesty, did you interpret it as regaining youth? Yohoho… You are really pure, unlike what I expected.”
“…?”
They were meaningful words. If Goldhit hadn’t regained her youth, then how did she look like she did now? Anxiety settled in his heart as Grid felt a strange incongruity. He felt a sense of rejection toward Goldhit. However, Goldhit didn’t give him a chance to think too deeply. “I want to thank you for answering my invitation. It is an honor to be able to host the best hero of our time.”
Her tone didn’t match her appearance. She was even standing with her hands behind her back. It seemed that she couldn’t abandon the habits of the old.
“Why did you invite me?” Grid asked bluntly. In fact, Grid didn’t like Goldhit’s emergence as the hidden quest had ended with it.
‘If I had continued with the quest, my intelligence could’ve reached 2,000 points.’
It was possible based on the progress of the quest and the increase in intelligence given. So, it was disappointing for Grid since he could obtain Fireball (Enhanced) the moment his intelligence exceeded 2,500. Then Goldhit made a shocking suggestion, “Can you take me as your disciple?”
“…??”
The magician king wanted to be his disciple? Grid doubted his ears. “The best magician on the continent wants to learn blacksmithing?”
“No, that is impossible.”
Indeed, he wasn’t mistaken.
‘I heard wrong.’
He had been straining himself since Khan’s death, so he was weary. Should he start taking energy supplements? Grid looked seriously worried about himself. Meanwhile, Goldhit added, “I want to learn magic, not blacksmithing.”
“What?” Grid’s expression distorted. “Did you invite me here to joke around?”
The best magician on the continent wanted a blacksmith to teach her magic? It was a joke that even an elementary school student wouldn’t make.
‘Has her brain become younger?’ Grid clicked his tongue, not hiding his displeasure. He was the Overgeared King and didn’t like Goldhit joking around with him. It was like she was ignoring the Overgeared Kingdom.
Goldhit spoke to the displeased Grid with a gentle expression, “Don’t be offended. I’m serious. I want to receive Braham’s enhanced magic from Your Majesty.”
“…?” Grid was startled. The name ‘Braham’ had unexpectedly emerged from Goldhit’s mouth.
‘How?’
Additionally, how did she know that he had learned Braham’s magic? Then Grid noticed his mistake.
‘Was she watching when I fought the lightning god?’
His opponent was the magician king. The system recognized her as a ‘powerhouse of the time.’ She wasn’t a legend but she could someday become one. If she was that type of person, it was possible for her to see the origin of the magic that Grid had used on the lightning god.
“Of course, I’m not simply asking. If Your Majesty teaches me magic, you will get something in return.” A cheerful smile appeared on Goldhit’s face. With ruddy skin, freckles, red hair, and round eyes, she was a really lovely girl… At least, when it came to appearance.
“What can I get? What will you do for me if I agree?”
“I have protected the empire through three generations of emperors. It means I am an important person in the empire. I have accumulated enormous wealth and power thanks to my abilities and the halo of the empire.”
“…”
“It is almost almighty. If you want anything, just tell me. I will listen to any request from you. Yohohoho.” It was an irresistible temptation. Goldhit was certain of this.
“The thunder stone,” Grid said what he wanted. “The stone that is on the roof of your tower. Give it to me.”
“…That is a bit too much to ask.” Goldhit frowned for the first time. “You truly are a legendary blacksmith. You know about the thunder stone.”
“It is impossible for me to not know.”
“Then don’t you know that it is an impossible request? The value of the thunder stone is incomparable to anything in the world. It can’t be obtained unless a great demon descends…”
“You know.” Grid cut Goldhit off. “You know that the thunder stone is closely related to a great demon and yet you left it like that without disposing of it? Don’t you know what a great demon can do?”
“The thunder stone is the symbol of Astaroth, one of the great demons who lost his flesh due to Muller and is disqualified from being a great demon. How can he be a big threat?”
“…”
“The thunder stone has enormous magic power. It is a great help to the development of magic and weapons. How can I dispose of such a precious treasure just because of a weakened great demon?”
“Hat!” Grid burst out laughing. Weakened great demon? What would happen if it became known that Astaroth had been playing in the empire for the past decade? One thing was clear. Goldhit’s reputation would nosedive, and her presence in the empire would weaken.
An alarm sounded all over the tower the moment Grid was feeling convinced of this. The magician Raji hurriedly ran over. “Master! Something is happening in the imperial palace!”
“I know.” Goldhit reached out into the air. Then a space similar to the players’ inventory was created, and a white robe popped out. Goldhit put on the robe and looked at Grid. “I have to delay this story for a while.”
‘Yes, go.’ He would smash the thunder stone in the period of time when she wasn’t here. Grid was convinced that the disturbance in the imperial palace was linked to Gyuratan. Goldhit read Grid’s intentions but didn’t feel uneasy. “Stop any silly talk. Nobody can access the thunder stone without my permission. I’ll just get mad at you.”
A large number of traps and five lightning gods were protecting the thunder stone. It was a thorough defense that not even Astaroth could get through.
“I will go and come back. I will solve the problem so that my precious guest won’t wait long. Yohohoho…” Goldhit laughed bizarrely, and the small body in white robes disappeared. Grid waited for her to disappear from view and headed straight upstairs. His destination was naturally the top of the tower. He planned to destroy the th
under stone for Mercedes’ safety and then pick up the wreckage.
However, how could it be that easy? On the next floor, Grid faced a maze. It was a huge and complicated maze, and he couldn’t see a way out. A magician came up to him and said, “Goldhit has asked me to take care of Your Majesty. Now, let’s go down. I will serve you respectfully.”
“Can’t I go up?” Grid refused the friendly magician’s offer.
In turn, the magician scoffed, “The Tower of Eternity isn’t a place that any dog or cattle can climb.”
“I can’t see anything with my eyes. Are you a dog?”
“…”
To think that the king of the Overgeared Kingdom and the peak of two billion users was being called a dog or cattle? There was no reason for Grid to endure his anger. He eagerly pulled out the Enlightenment Sword, consuming the fighting energy that had risen during his encounter with Goldhit.
“100,000 Army.”
“…?”
“Massacre Sword.”
“…!!”
Peng!
Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!
The red and purple energy blades penetrated the maze in a straight line. From there, the maze started to collapse, and an explosion occurred in a corner of the Tower of Eternity which had been firmly in place for ages. There was now a small hole in the high tower.
“W-What…?”
Did Grid just blow up a magic trap with force? Furthermore, did he call out 100,000 Army Massacre Sword? It was then that the magician discovered Grid’s identity. “T-The Undefeated King’s descend… Keok!”
However, the current Grid wasn’t lax. He didn’t hesitate to kill the eyewitness and climbed to the next floor.
***
“Uh…!” Mercedes’ scream resonated in the hall. As a matter of fact, Gyuratan had been aiming at Mercedes, not the emperor, from the beginning. It was because he knew that Bain would come out when he reached the emperor. It also meant that Bain wouldn’t act unless the emperor was being aimed at.
“Sir Mercedes!” The knights heard the turmoil and were aghast. They roared angrily and came to rescue her from Astaroth.
“Don’t move if you want this woman to live.” Gyuratan was holding Mercedes by the neck. She was poisoned by the demonic energy that entered her body through the sword cut.
