by Park Saenal
“T-Thank you!!” Hee Dongi and his companions, who were able to survive thanks to Grid, shouted excitedly. They didn’t know that they would meet their king at a novice hunting ground. The party interpreted it as Grid patrolling the beginner hunting grounds for the sake of beginners and felt deep respect for him.
“Stay strong!” Grid cheered them on. He smiled and left after picking up the items from the boss monsters.
On this day, various Satisfy communities were bustling with activity. There was a post with the title of ‘The Overgeared King is a mighty person’ in each community. Grid’s heroic stories once again increased.
***
Grid returned from the Vatican and commanded, “I’m going to build a temple. Find excellent painters, sculptors, and architects for me.”
“You want to set up another temple?”
Reinhardt already had three Rebecca temples, and they had secured enough Rebecca priests and paladins. Yet Grid wanted to build another one? Didn’t he know how much money it would cost? Was this really meaningful? Grid explained to Lauel who was unconvinced, “I want to build a temple for God Hexetia, not Goddess Rebecca.”
“Hexetia? The blacksmith god?”
“Yes.”
“Hrmm.”
Grid wanted to build a temple for God Hexetia whom no one worshipped…? Lauel thought about it before asking the reason and soon figured out Grid’s purpose.
‘The Overgeared Kingdom is a kingdom built by a blacksmith… In fact, Grid has attracted and trained a large number of blacksmiths. If the Overgeared Kingdom doesn’t serve the blacksmith god, who will? Additionally, serving the blacksmith god means the blacksmiths will be blessed. There is room for further development of the blacksmiths.’
There was a clear reason to serve the blacksmith god, and the profits from serving him would be great.
Lauel was thrilled. “How did you get this idea? Your Majesty, aren’t you becoming smarter? Kuk! Kukukuk, a miracle is occurring in your body. It is a miracle that can raise a waterfall toward the sky…”
“????”
How was he becoming smarter? Grid was puzzled. That’s right. Grid didn’t even consider the possibility that if blacksmiths worshipped the blacksmith god, they might receive a blessing.
***
“His age is maybe in the mid-50s? His race is similar to Hispanics, and his red hair is like blazing fire. His eye sockets are deep while his eyes specifically are small and black. Is there a harsh shade…? His nose is a bit hooked, and his mustache and beard are long. Ah, the color of his beard is red.”
“…”
Picasso was the 1st ranked painter. Fascinated by the Overgeared Kingdom’s announcement of ‘looking for someone to paint a god’, she made a visit to Reinhardt. At present, Hexetia’s image was being born under her brush as she sat facing Grid. Grid added an explanation while confirming the progress of the portrait, “No. A bit thinner. His skin is thin, and his cheeks are slightly like a clown’s? Try to raise them a bit.”
“Like this?”
“It is very accurate. You are an excellent painter.”
“It is thanks to the system correction effect.”
“You are being humble.”
“…”
Picasso had a question. Grid’s description sounded like he had actually seen Hexetia as the description was so detailed and vivid.
‘Is it possible for a player to encounter a god? No, are gods real existences in the first place?’
The bigshots were truly different. It was clear that they lived in a completely different world from her. As Picasso thought this, Grid continued explaining to her, “His top is bare while his bottom half just has a gray cloth like a skirt. His dry and cracked muscles look like bark, but they are harder than steel. Ah, his nipples are burning.”
“Yes, I see. Are they these types of muscles? Yes. His nipples are burning. Yes…?” Picasso was nodding as she drew the god on the canvas, only to become shocked. Her face turned bright red.
‘H-His nipples are burning? That isn’t possible! This is a gross sexual joke! It is sexual harassment!’
“…casso? Hey, Picasso.”
“Ah, yes! Yes?”
A famous person had changed into a pervert! Picasso was somewhat disappointed in Grid and felt embarrassed. Her blushing face looked like she was going to cry at any minute. Grid was concerned about her condition. “Why aren’t you drawing? Are you tired? Would you like to take a break?”
“N-No. T-That… It is hard to understand what you mean by nipples burning…”
“Hrmm… There were small flames on both of the red, inflamed nipples. There is a transparent blue flame on the left nipple and a transparent red flame on the right nipple.”
“R-Red inflamed nipples…”
“…?”
“N-Nothing! Nothing! I’ll concentrate!”
She wouldn’t allow any further sexual harassment!
‘Don’t show the opponent a reaction that he would enjoy!’
Picasso endured it with clenched teeth and started to concentrate on her work again. She made a great effort not to show a reaction that Grid would enjoy. Now, she couldn’t trust the image of the god on the canvas. It was hard to believe that someone who went around half naked with burning nipples was a god. Then what was this…? Picasso was faced with the truth the moment she finished painting.
[You have completed a new work!]
[It is the birth of a masterpiece that perfectly depicts the blacksmith god, Hexetia.]
[Your reputation as the first human to recreate Hexetia’s image will spread throughout the continent!]
[Many royal families and nobles hope to meet you! If you work as a royal painter, you can earn great rewards!]
[All stats will increase by 20 points due to the completing of a masterpiece.]
[The voice of the blacksmith god, Hexetia, is heard in your ears.]
-To reproduce my beauty so well… Hmm, it is quite good for a human.
[Affinity with the blacksmith god Hexetia has risen by 35.]
[The title, ‘One who has Drawn a God,’ has been acquired.]
“Rea…lly…?”
There were all sorts of unexpected rewards! Picasso felt dazed rather than happy. The hostility she held in her eyes when she gazed at Grid disappeared, and it was replaced by great respect and gratitude.
“Oh, your drawing is very nice. It is perfect. You have worked hard.”
“It was a work that was born thanks to your detailed information.”
“You are always humble. Well, okay. Lauel, tell the sculptor to reproduce the person in this portrait.”
Lauel replied, “Yes. Huroi is still flying him here. I will give him the commission as soon as he arrives.”
“Huh? Huroi?”
“The sculptor might be even more of a monster than Huroi… The problem is the high salary he is asking for. Don’t worry and just wait.”
“Yes, I’ll leave it to you.”
Thanks to the good people, the temple’s statues would likely be completed easily. Then Picasso spoke to Grid, who was smiling with satisfaction, “That…”
“Huh? What’s going on?”
“…C-Can I join the Overgeared Guild?”
“What? Of course, I would welcome you.”
“T-Thank you! I’m really happy!”
“I am really grateful.”
Grid and Picasso smiled as they faced each other. The sound of construction could be heard through the open windows as the construction of the Hexetia temple had begun.
Grid and the seven malignant saints…
Truth and lies…
Good and evil…
Grid strayed from various concepts imposed by the world view and pioneered a whole new path. It was unpredictable for the S.A Group, including Chairman Lim Cheolho.
“…I’m not interested in simple things.” Chairman Lim Cheolho smiled warmly as he watched Grid on the monitor.
Chapter 886
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sp; Chapter 886
People who accumulated experience and skills in their field of expertise were treated with respect everywhere. In short, being at the pinnacle evoked respect. Picasso was at the pinnacle.
“It is an honor to meet you like this.”
“Please look after me in the future.”
The Overgeared Guild welcomed Picasso who had just joined them. The Overgeared members who had been scattered all over the continent flocked together to greet her. Despite being busy with maintaining their ranking and looking after their territory, they took a break. Of course, they also intended to visit the 10 meritorious retainers.
“Once you’re done in Reinhardt, stop by Bairan.”
“No, come to Reidan first. Jishuka, have you forgotten that Reidan is the second capital? Reidan is naturally after Reinhardt.”
“Reidan is too big. There are more than one or two facilities there, and it will take a long time. It is advantageous to start from the relatively small Bairan first.”
“It is a way of thinking that fits your rural tastes.”
“Rural? Hehe, our Chris seems to have grown up? It has been a while since you’ve had an arrow stuck in your butt.”
“Isn’t it funny to bring up the L.T.S days now? It is just like how you were tied up by Zirkan in the old days.”
“Zirkan? Why are you bringing up his name here?”
“You are overly fussy.”
“What? Is that what you should say to a young woman? Hey! Shall we fight for the first time in a while?”
“I will fight if you don’t use the Red Phoenix Bow.”
“An Overgeared member should be overgeared!”
A masterpiece was a great inspiration for people. In reality, millions of people saw masterpieces and gained the energy to carve out a better life, whereas in Satisfy, paintings weren’t just for simple appreciation. A painter’s paintings had many possibilities. If the portrait of a brave soldier were put in the barracks, the morale and training efficiency of the soldiers would rise. If a decorative painting were put in a restaurant, the chef’s cuisine would become more delicious, and a cool landscape would reduce the heat encroaching on the city.
The better the artist’s ability, the more varied and powerful the effect of the painting would be. In other words…
‘Picasso’s joining is a huge event that will remain in our country’s history.’
Picasso’s value was difficult to measure. That’s why Lauel was very excited. A prideful person who rejected most requests had applied for membership to the Overgeared Guild.
‘Does this mean that Hexetia’s painting was a special event for her? It is all due to King Grid’s great description of God Hexetia.’
Lauel was convinced of this. He knew that most people, including himself, were attracted to Grid or that they joined the Overgeared Guild because they wanted something from him. It was thanks to Grid alone that the Overgeared Kingdom could be created.
“Kuk…kukukuk! King Grid, you are definitely a man born from a star. I look at you and the memories of a former life that I have forgotten come to mind. You boasted a unique presence in a previous life. Like the sun… Kuk! Kukuk! I’m thrilled! My soul is melting!” Lauel covered half his face with his hand while he shouted at Grid.
Grid felt the pain of having curled fingers and toes from cringing so hard for the first time in a while, but he didn’t reply. To be exact, he didn’t want to reply. Grid’s head was already busy enough. There wasn’t enough room for nonsense.
‘Very good. It is more than I expected.’
The construction work for the Hexetia temple had started without a hitch. Grid sighed as he thought about the potential of Drop that he had measured on the way back to Reinhardt. ‘The motion is very short.’
There was just one step, or half a step to be exact. The skill was triggered by taking that half step and swinging his sword at the same time. It was almost an immediate-use skill. Drop was overwhelmingly faster than the existing sword dances which required 2–4 steps.
In fact, it was possible to connect it immediately after a basic attack! Moreover, it affected a target that was completely resistant to CCs. Theoretically, it meant an abnormal status could be applied to gods or dragons! What if Grid had been able to use it during the 3rd National Competition? He would’ve been able to show a spectacular sight going against the giant dragon as the whole world was watching.
‘It is a huge weapon.’
Grid was particularly looking forward to the fusion skills. Based on the fact that the motions for Drop were so short, it was likely to be easy to link with other swordsmanship.
‘Linked Drop, Kill Drop, Wave Drop, Revolve Drop, Pinnacle Drop…’
…They didn’t sound very good.
‘It must be because I am Korean.’
If people from other countries listened to them in their own language, they might be wonderful and fantastic skill names! While Grid was trying to comfort himself, Picasso came up to him and said, “I want to draw you.”
“Me?”
A painter’s ‘drawing’ literally meant a painting.
“Why all of a sudden?” Then the bewildered Grid shut his mouth. It was because he witnessed Lauel, Jishuka, Chris, Pon, and his other colleagues open their mouths with astonishment.
Lauel hastily whispered to him, -Just accept it! Her portraits are rumored to have a special effect!
-Special effect? What is it?
-I don’t know exactly. It was a rumor that occurred after she was invited by nobles to paint their portraits. The truth hasn’t been revealed yet. In any case, you can feel expectant. The great nobles of each country offered a lot of money to invite her and ask her to paint their portraits.
There were countless artists who could paint simple portraits. They were portraits which looked exactly like the real people or were better. These portraits were enough to decorate a wall, so any artist with decent talent could complete them. However, the nobles were paying attention to Picasso. The people speculated that there must be a reason.
-She has never done a player’s portrait, so no one can see the hidden features of her portraits. You are the first one.
-Um… yes.
There was no reason to refuse. Moreover, there was a problem of etiquette before discussing the reason. Right now, Picasso was clearly showing goodwill to Grid. He wasn’t cold enough to ignore the goodwill of his colleagues.
“Okay. Please draw me.”
Picasso had perfectly reproduced the image of God Hexetia. What image would she draw of him? Grid was slightly curious, but his expectations weren’t great. He didn’t even want it. After all, this was his own ugly face that they were talking about. Grid hadn’t been loved since childhood and felt embarrassed about his shameful appearance being put down on canvas.
“The welcome party is over, so let’s move locations. I want a place where I can glimpse your true face.”
“My true face?” Grid was confused for a moment by Picasso’s request but soon realized what she meant.
‘Let’s go to the smithy.’
It was also time to repair the items he was wearing. Grid nodded easily and stood up. “Yes, let’s move.”
***
“I don’t know if it is right to judge him by human standards, but I personally sympathize with Hexetia.”
“Why?”
It was a very large smithy that could only be seen in the Overgeared Kingdom.
Picasso started drawing the hammering Grid while musing with a bittersweet expression, “I was the first person to reproduce Hexetia’s image. This gave me a high affinity with him.”
Hexetia was a god who had contributed greatly to humanity’s development. However, Hexetia had done it due to Goddess Rebecca, so humanity praised her instead. The people didn’t even remember Hexetia. He had only appeared briefly in the beginning of the story before disappearing.
“I would’ve felt sad if I were God Hexetia.”
‘She saw it properly.�
�
An artist had an abundant sensitivity and a strong ability to empathize. Picasso questioned Grid, “Where did you see the appearance of God Hexetia? His image has never been reproduced, so how did you know?”
“It is nothing special. I naturally saw the god’s appearance while proceeding with the quest.”
“…”
He had seen the appearance of a god during the process of a quest. How many players could experience this? Grid had reached a much higher realm than Picasso had vaguely imagined. This was the reason why.
“In order for a painter’s work to be recognized as a masterpiece, several conditions are necessary. The first is that the artist’s ability must reach a certain level. The second is the artist’s intention behind bringing the painting into the world. The third is the artist’s mindset while painting, and the fourth is the value of the protagonist of the work. The value isn’t about the target’s identity or status. It means the weight of the target in proportion to the era.”
Picasso aimed for a new masterpiece by making Grid the protagonist. So far, she had only completed four masterpieces. Three of the four masterpieces showed the greatness of nature while the remaining one was the portrait of God Hexetia which she completed yesterday.
That’s right. She had no experience with her drawings of ‘people’ being recognized as a masterpiece. Her portraits of the nobles were excellent, but they weren’t evaluated as masterpieces. A masterpiece was something that had to inspire everyone. However, the reputation of the nobles wasn’t enough to be talked about by everyone.
‘Grid is different.’
He was a person who had established a kingdom, become the sky, and seen a god. It was Picasso’s judgment that the system wouldn’t underestimate his weight.
‘There will be good results for you and me…’ Picasso prayed as she delicately drew Grid’s image.
Grid hit the iron amidst the blazing heat as hundreds of blacksmiths watched him with admiration. He showed a dignity that wasn’t inferior to that of God Hexetia.
