Overgeared 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?"
Lauel was once known as the hero of the Ten Rookies. If he had chosen a combat specialist class as his third advancement class, he would've become much stronger. But Lauel sacrificed himself.
Rather than enhancing his individual strength, he chose the 'Flow Master' class. He could temporarily change the weather and terrain, but his combat power was the lowest.
"I have been lagging behind for a while and can only hunt vampires, but… why are you raising your level here? I will pass this area by releasing my sealed self and causing bloodshed. You should go on a new adventure."
“…"
Anyway, Lauel's tone was really annoying. The Overgeared members scratched their heads like they were embarrassed by him and explained.
"Didn't we discover the presence of the Behen Archipelago because of Grid?"
“If it wasn't for Grid, it would be hard to figure out how to move the East Continent."
"Won't it feel like a mutiny if we go to the East Continent before Grid?"
"It's like pouring cold water on him."
“…"
Lauel's blue eyes shook as he heard the Overgeared members' explanation. He was thrilled.
"You were trying to maintain your loyalty to My Lord. Isn't this good?"
One of the basic conditions for establishing a strong force was camaraderie. And the Overgeared members already had it. Lauel smiled and proudly said, "How wonderful. Then stop your solo play and join a party with me."
"Eh…?"
"Shouldn't you be loyal to me as well?"
“…"
Party play had the advantage of hunting much faster than solo play, but it also had the disadvantage of sharing experience and items. It was a loss to do party play in an area where the number of monsters was limited.
But the Overgeared members couldn't refuse Lauel's request. They knew better than anyone, even Grid, how hard he worked for the guild.
***
[Your level has risen.]
[12 stat points have been acquired.]
[Six points have been forcibly invested into intelligence due to the influence of the second class, Legendary Great Magician.]
The 59th island.
It was a hell-like space where monsters level 420 or higher popped up on a large scale. Grid had to deal with at least three or four monsters that were 114 levels higher than him. It was a desperate situation for anyone, but Grid could earn a lot.
The 400 extra points in agility and intelligence, as well as Weapons Mastery and Magic Mastery helped a lot.
[Weapons Mastery level is beginner level 6.]
[Magic Mastery level is beginner level 4.]
[The Sword Mastery of 'God Hand' has increased to intermediate level 7.]
[Your memphis Noe has risen to level 202.]
[Doppelganger Randy has risen to level 161.]
'It's hard.'
It was big. The difficulty meant that Grid achieved a fast and steady growth.
'It would be nice if I had more potions.
In fact, Grid couldn't predict that the difficulty of the Behen Archipelago so much. He didn't have enough potions in the middle of his raid.
Chaeng! Chaaeng!
Grid felt regret as he was immersed in battle. Noe and Randy kept one monster tied up, while Grid faced two monsters at the same time. He faced each remaining monster one by one, as blue flames rose around it. He activated Blacksmith's Eyes, a skill that he acquired through a hidden piece like Item Combination.
[Blacksmith's Eyes (Lv. 1) has seen through the target's item.]
[You have explored the function of the armour that the Troll Lord is wearing!]
[Time Worn Leather Vest]
Defense: ???
Option 1: ???
Option 2: ???
Option 3: Reduce damage of stabbing attacks.
'Ah, I got it.'
He felt something was unusual when using Kill and Link.
Chaaeng!
Due to his rise in agility, he could swing Grid's Greatsword faster than before. The moment he defended against the troll lord's axe, he used Pagma's Swordsmanship, Pinnacle Kill.
Seokeok!
[You have dealt 90,300 damage to the target.]
[You have lost 4,500 health due to the influence of Pinnacle Kill.]
Kiyaaaaaah!
Trolls were monsters with high health and regenerative ability. Among them, the troll lord was at the peak. But the boss was shaky in front of the destructive power of Pinnacle Kill, which completely ignored defense. Grid hurriedly withdrew from the monster that lost 90,000 health at once and scattered yellow blood.
“Ah, really."
Grid knew that he shouldn't give a troll a chance to act. However, the troll lord's blood was highly acidic. Blood sprayed every time there was an injury, so Grid couldn't easily link combos. He had to widen the distance.
Kudu! Kududuk!
The troll lord quickly recovered from Grid's wounds. It sent Grid a provocative smile. It was like saying 'you can never hurt me.' Grid thought it was ridiculous.
“You aren't a named boss."
What were the four God Hands doing while Grid was fighting?
Shuuuuong!
"…!"
The troll lord's eyes widened.
Flashing golden hands came out from a cave and gave a new weapon to Grid.
"This is called Item Combination."
Kuoooooh-!
It was a blue shark-shaped greatsword with red lights scattered around it like cherry blossoms. It was the beautiful harmony of Iyarugt and Failure.
"Pagma's Swordsmanship, Linked Kill Wave."
Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa kwa!
"Ki…! Kieeeeeek!"
So what if it was difficult to get close due to the acidic blood? He would attack from a distance. Grid laughed as the troll lord turned to grey ash. However, he couldn't laugh for long. His skills were on cooldown and new monsters were gathering.
***
[You have entered the 60th island.]
[This is a save point. Would you like to register?]
[You have been registered. When you enter the Behen Archipelago later on, you will start from the 60th island.]
"Heok… Heok… Wow, I thought I was going to fall behind."
Grid broke through the 59th island and sat on the ground. He wanted to Meditate to restore health and stamina, but it wasn't easy to enter the state.
'I can't adapt to the new skills.'
The condition to activate Blacksmith's Eyes was to watch the equipment for at least 3 seconds. Was this hard? Of course it was difficult during a battle. His field of view narrowed and he often missed the target's movements, exposing a gap.
The problems didn't end there.
'The information of the items covers my vision.'
During a battle, the item information window seriously disturbed his view. It felt like the navigation screen was hidden while he was driving. Anyway, it seemed like he would take a long time to adapt.
'I can gradually adapt.'
Grid looked at his immediate problem. The islands in the 60s. Would he be able to progress through here? The difficulty of the Behen Archipelago was amplified every 10 islands. The last island in the Behen Archipelago was the 66th island.
It was possible to infer that the difficulty of the islands from 60 onwards would be incomparably higher than before.
'Originally, I wanted to clear this place before the National Competition.'
It seemed to be an impossible task. Grid sighed as he thought about it. Did it read his anxiety? The cooldown time of Assimilation ended and Braham's soul woke up.
[Challenge it first.]
"Braham!"
Grid had increasingly started to rely on Braham. Grid welcomed Braham's voice and asked.
“Do you mean I can win if I challenge the Behen Archipelago?"
Braham scoffed.
[You are too arrogant. I said that this is a playground made by Pagma. You haven't reached Pagma's full capacity yet and don't have the ability to clear this place. I want you to challenge it to realize that you are still weak.]
“…I wondered about this before, but what do you mean by a playground that Pagma created?"
[Do you know about the original Behen Archipelago?]
"I heard from Sticks. It was a Hall of Fame that celebrated the achievements of legends and a training ground for current legends."
[That's right. It's a shameful place for those who are hostile to legends.]
“Those who are hostile to legends?"
[Great demons. They saw an opportunity to destroy the Behen Archipelago, which connects legends. In order to prevent this, Pagma installed various gateways.]
"A space created to prevent the great demons…"
Grid suddenly felt some doubts.
"How did Pagma make this space?"
Pagma was a legendary blacksmith, not a god. He could install various devices, but it wasn't possible to summon the monsters, reproduce past trials, or clone the contestants.
'It might be different if he was a magician.'
Then Braham spoke meaningful words to Grid.
[It's possible for a great demon.]
"What?"
OG:
Current schedule: 20 chapters a week.
Chapter 403
[It's possible for a great demon.]
"What?"
Pagma was a great demon? It was ridiculous.
'Wait.'
Grid attempted to deny it when he suddenly stopped. He didn't know enough about Pagma to judge, and Braham's nature was also odd.
'In fact, isn't Braham a vampire, rather than a human?'
A legendary great magician was a demonkin, so it wouldn't be strange if a legendary blacksmith was also one. But why?
'Why isn't it mentioned in the legends?'
Braham sensed Grid's confusion and laughed.
[Aren't you an idiot, to take my words at face value?]
Grid frowned.
“I have taken the intelligence elixirs, so why are you still seeing me as an idiot? No, what does that mean?"
[To put it more accurately, Pagma is a human who accepted the power of a great demon.]
“He accepted the power of a great demon?"
[Baal.]
"…!"
Grid was startled. Did he know the weight of the name Baal? No. It was because Grid felt Braham's anger. The anger was deeply imprinted in Braham's soul like an abyss and it slowly boiled up. Grid held Braham's soul, so he was also angry.
[Pagma was Baal's contractor.]
"…!"
Grid was once again surprised. Questions filled his eyes.
“What is Baal's contractor?"
[…Hah.]
It was the first time Grid discovered that souls could also sigh.
***
The 1st great demon, Baal. As the peak of the 33 demons, he reigned as the master of hell. It was easy to call him the demon king. He was an absolute existence that even the dragons guarded against.
[He is more faithful to his instincts as a demon than anyone else. He is proud, destructive, and does anything for pleasure. Plantings seeds of chaos through contracts with humans is very entertaining for him.]
“Why did Pagma sign with such a bad demon?"
[Ironically, he had to borrow Baal's strength to protect the Behen Archipelago.]
"Eh?"
The words were confusing. Pagma wanted to protect the Behen Archipelago from the great demons, so he borrowed the power of a great demon?
[It's as you said. Baal likes taunting and deception.]
“So?”
[It is irrelevant to Baal whether the target being deceived is a human or a great demon like himself.]
“…"
The Grid in the past would've been frustrated without understanding to the end. But now it was different. He properly interpreted Braham's remark using his developed thinking ability.
"Baal wanted to enjoy the entertainment of protecting the invasion of great demons with the power of a great demon, so he signed a contract with Pagma?"
[That's right.]
In other words, Baal screwed over his own people. Grid couldn't understand Baal. Braham laughed at his confusion.
[Don't look at great demons with the prejudice. Don't humans also betray and hurt their own people?]
“But isn't Baal the master of hell? Isn't he the king of the great demons? A king sacrificing his servants just for entertainment… I guess there are some."
When he thought about it, there were many crazy people in the world. Grid was convinced and defined Baal as a psychopath great demon.
"Um… Yes, this is why the Behen Archipelago changed in this way."
If so, there was another question. Why did Pagma leave the Behen Archipelago in this state? He protected the Behen Archipelago with a contract with a great demon, and then the Behen Archipelago eventually deteriorated and the original function was lost. If Pagma truly wanted to protect the Behen Archipelago, he would've returned it to its original state after the great demons were repelled.
But he didn't…
'Was there a chance that the great demons would invade again?'
Or maybe Pagma had no more power left.
Grid asked a question.
"What happened after Pagma contracted with a great demon to protect the Behen Archipelago? Did he die? Or is he still alive?"
[Why do you think he is still alive?]
"He contracted with a great demon, so wouldn't his lifespan increase?"
[That's a ridiculous notion. The reason why demons contract with humans is to basically take their life force and soul.]
"Isn't something strange? Pagma lived for a long time, right? Didn't you say that he lived for hundreds of years? Wasn't it because of his contract with the great demon?"
[You are mistaken. Pagma made the contract with Baal 100 years ago, not 300 years.]
"…Ah!"
Grid belatedly recalled that Sticks mentioned the Behen Archipelago being fine 200 years ago. Then a new question arose.
“Does that mean that Pagma can live for hundreds of years, regardless of the contract with a great demon?"
What was Pagma's identity?
"How can a human live that long?"
[…]
The silent Braham didn't answer, anger filling him again. Grid's spine became soaked with cold sweat before Braham finally broke the silence.
[The reason why Pagma could live for hundreds of years, despite being a human, was because my lifespan was taken.]
"What?"
His words didn't make sense. Obviously, Braham was a vampire. Unlike humans, they had a life expectancy close to infinity so there might be a way to transfer his lifespan to someone. It wasn't strange for a non-human and legendary great magician to do something that was beyond common sense.
However, Braham said that his lifespan was 'taken.'
"Does that mean you didn't give it willingly? Weren't you and Pagma close friends?"
[What if I was deceived and betrayed?]
“…"
He wanted to hear more of the story. Grid was curious, but Braham didn't want to talk about it anymore.
[Well, if you want to know more about Pagma, reach the last island. Move to the 61st island. Then after experiencing the difference between your skills and Pagma's, see if you can challenge it again.]
What on earth was on the islands in the 60s that Braham was so sure he couldn't overcome? Braham spoke to the troubled Grid.
[It is your duty to break through this place, so don't think about giving up.]
"I won't give up, even if you hadn't said this. I'm just a little worried about how dangerous it can be."
[What do you have to fear with an immortal body? As I said repeatedly, challenge it once.]
It was as Braham said. The Behen Archipelago was deeply related to Pagma, and there was a high possibility that a quest related to Pagma's Descendant was hidden here. Grid felt a need to investigate the islands.
“Okay."
Grid moved towards the gate of the 61st island with determination. Then Sticks, who had been watching silently, urgently called out.
"Braham is a demonkin. You must not be misled by him."
“I know that elves and demonkin have a bad relationship. But shouldn't you cool your head? Aren't you the one who is the most desperate for the Behen Archipelago to be purified? I can also get rewards, so I have to move forward."
“…"
That's right. He wasn't someone who would be dazzled by Braham's existence.
The enlightened Sticks followed behind Grid.
***
[You have entered the 61st island.]
Kuooooh!
An island covered with fire. The lush forest was burning and the river running through it was an ominous red.
[The temperature is very high.]
[You are affected by the heat.]
[Health and stamina are being continuously consumed.]
[You have resisted.]
'The legendary passive is a scam.'
Satisfy fully implemented the five senses. Users naturally felt the heat and cold, causing climate to be a disaster to them sometimes. However, Grid didn't feel it due to being Pagma's Descendant. He was able to maintain a proper body temperature and play the game in a much more pleasant environment than others.
"Pant pant…"
Unlike Grid's refreshed face, Sticks standing behind him was sweating like a dog. It wouldn't be strange if he collapsed immediately.
“If you're a sage, shouldn't you have a countermeasure for the heat?"
"There are a few ways, but I don't have the materials…"
“Can't you use magic?"
“It's hard to use mana because of my illness…"
“…"
Please don't die. Grid desired Sticks as a tutor for Lord, so he prayed while moving forward.
'There are no monsters or missions.'
The shape itself seemed different from the other islands.
“…"
Grid crossed the blazing island, looking to the left and right. His attitude was more cautious than ever. He was extremely concentrated as he prepared for any sudden attacks. However, it was meaningless in front of an strong enemy that couldn't be defended against.
Step, step.
The footsteps moving through the forest sounded relaxed and proud. The owner of the footsteps didn't seem to care at all that Grid discovered his position.
'Who?'
Grid turned his gaze in the direction of the footsteps. Then he frowned. He couldn't see anything because of the smoke.
'The smoke has thickened?'
Step, step.
The footsteps were getting closer. Grid urgently pulled out his weapon and was surprised when he used Magic Detection (Enhanced) Lv. 2.
[No life has been detected.]
'What?'
There was no life detected despite the footsteps? Grid was baffled, but he wielded Iyarugt in the direction the footsteps came from. But the smoke. No, it was darker than mere smoke and he couldn't properly see the target.
Puok!
[You have suffered 50,040 damage.]
"Keook…!"
The enemy had moved? The attack was supposed to be in front of him, but it turned in a flash and struck his back. Grid's eyes widened as he lost more than two-thirds of his health with one blow.
[That's right. It's Lantier.]
Braham penetrated the identity of the enemy hidden in the smoke.
OG:
Current schedule: 20 chapters a week.
Chapter 404
“Lantier?"
It was a familiar name to Grid.
'Where did I hear it?'
He thought about it, but nothing came to mind. He summoned Noe and Randy, placed the God Hands all over the place, took a defensive position and asked while drinking a potion.
"Who is Lantier?"
[Lantier isn't an individual's name.]
Eclipse, the strongest and and worst assassination group believed to have existed more than a thousand years ago.
[Lantier is the name that has been passed down to the leaders over generations. But there is only one Lantier that I know.]
Suuuuoh.
The black smoke started to become thicker. As the black smoke became thicker until Grid couldn't see in front of him anymore, Braham spoke shocking words.
[The legendary assassin.]
"What…?"
The moment Grid felt astonished.
Peeng!
One of the God Hands protecting Grid was struck by a weapon. It couldn't deal with the shock and went flying. It was the first time that the God Hands had this strong reaction to an attack instead of stiffening. He could infer how high the enemy's attack power was.
"Kuk!"
Grid narrowly twisted his head to avoid the hand flying at his head. Noe hurriedly yelled as he looked at the God Hand.
“Behind you! Nyang!"
'Again?'
When it first appeared, it instantly moved from the front to the back. It seemed to have a troublesome skill to instantly appear behind the target.
"Save me!"
Once Grid commanded, the God Hands moved all at once and gathered behind Grid. At the same time, it happened.
Chaaeng!
The dagger that flew like lightning and tried to pierce Grid's neck collided with the God Hands instead. A shock wave occurred and cleared the smoke, allowing Grid to confirm Lantier's appearance.
'Skeleton?'
That's right. Lantier wasn't a human. He had died a long time ago, becoming a skeleton. Lantier was moving with such a body.
An enemy who competed with the four God Hands with the dagger held by thin finger bones. There was an aquamarine light shining eerily in their eye sockets.
'Undead…! This is why I couldn't detect it with magic power!'
[No, the result would be the same even if Lantier was alive. It isn't easy to find Lantier when he doesn't want to be found.]
The basics of an assassin was hiding. They had the ability to erase their presence. Lantier was a top assassin who got the title of a legend, so it wasn't just at the level of erasing himself. He could deny his existence in the world.
On the other hands, Grid's Magic Detection was only at level 2. It was virtually impossible for the current Grid to find Lantier, let alone when he was undead.
Sururuk.
The skeleton, Lantier, disappeared into the smoke again. Grid tried to find him using his high insight and the Slaughterer's Eye Patch. But it was wishful thinking. Grid lost Lantier and asked Braham.
“Why is he an undead?"
The answer was simple.
[Baal's contractor has the ability of a necromancer. Pagma found Lantier's body and turned him into a death knight.]
"Heok."
In other words, Pagma was a legendary blacksmith, a great swordsman, and a necromancer?
'It's a scam.'
He also helped neutralized the invasion of the great demons alone. Grid felt desperate because of this. If the legendary assassin's death knight emerged on the 61st island…
'It is likely that other legends will emerge on the 62nd~66th islands.'
The difference between the power of the previous legends and the current legends was remarkable. The previous legends were regarded as complete, while the current legends were still growing. Grid's level was low and he hadn't finished all his class quests yet.
'How do I clear this place?'
Braham gave hope to the frowning Grid.
[The undead legends are very weak compared to their complete state. On the other hand, you have me. If you rely on me and keep learning magic, one day you will be able to beat them.]
“That’s right."
Pagma might be a legendary blacksmith and necromancer, but Grid was a legendary blacksmith and magician. He was also qualified to become the strongest, and had the potential to overcome any trials. Just…
[I just question if you can even learn Fireball.]
“…"
This situation wasn't positive. Then Braham whispered to the frustrated Grid.
[He's coming back.]
It was true. The God Hands that Grid scattered in all directions sensed the enemy and flinched. They were like a spider web. And a spider web was weak. A spider web might be strong enough to hold a small bird, but it was easily torn by beasts.
Syuk!
Lantier's black cloak flapped as he appeared through the smoke. He easily shrugged off the God Hands flying from all directions and broke through Noe and Randy. Noe's claws tried to slash it, but it seemed like the cloak had a high resistance. Lantier's dagger was then captured by Grid using the Slaughterer's Eye Patch.
'Okay, I read the orbit!'
This was the synergy between his high insight, the Slaughterer's Eye Patch, and Iyarugt. Grid moved quickly and successfully avoided it. But the problem occurred next.
Pahat!
Lantier once again appeared behind Grid and stabbed. Grid wouldn't suffer from this again.
"I'm not an idiot who will fall for the same trick three times!"
Grid had already used the footwork of Revolve and planned to return Lantier's strike back to him, causing 50,000 damage. Braham clicked his tongue.
[This obvious tactic is a trap.]
Chaaeng!
Lantier was blown away by Iyarugt. Grid smiled with satisfaction as he looked through the scattered red afterglow, only for his eyes to widen.
'Fake?'
Lantier disappeared like an illusion after being hit by Revolve. He appeared to the side of Grid. Grid tasted a terrible pain the moment he realized.
Puok!
[You have been hit by a lethal blow!]
[A legend doesn't die easily. You can resist all attacks for 5 seconds with a minimum of health.]
“Hat!”
Grid could only laugh. It was only two blows and his immortality passive was activated. The strength of the opponent was too surreal.
[You have inherited Pagma's power, but this is reality. As you are now, you can't even win against a creature made by Pagma.]
Why did Braham want Grid to realize his own powerlessness? It was simple. Braham wanted Grid to crave magic. In other words, he would want to grow as a magician now.
Why? Did Braham want to resurrect himself faster by raising Grid's intelligence? Of course, that was one reason. Rather, it was more because he believed that a magician was greater than a blacksmith.
Braham thought it was better for Grid to grow as a magician. But Grid was a blacksmith to the bones. Right now, he was thinking from the perspective of a blacksmith.
'Lantier is strong for a reason. His basic abilities and skills are excellent, but he also has good items.'
The dagger shone with a white light. Grid just guessed, but it was probably made from adamantium. Assuming that the weapon was made by Pagma in his prime, the attack power of this dagger was probably far superior to Grid's Greatsword.
'The cloak also has high defense, so I can't imagine the defense of the armor.'
Thus, his conclusion.
'In order to beat this place, do I need stronger items?'
Unlike Braham's intentions, Grid's desire as a blacksmith was ignited as he activated Blackening and fought with Lantier for five seconds. The result was, of course, was a total failure. Lantier didn't allow Grid to hit him once. Noe, Randy and the God Hands were obsolete in front of the legendary assassin.
[You have died.]
[Returning to the 60th island.]
***
"This game is truly about items."
Level, stats, skills, and magic growth were just the basic premises. Later, when Grid once again challenged the Behen Archipelago, the most important thing to pay attention to was items.
'Let's assume that the legends on the 62nd~66th islands are also undead.'
He needed to make items that would be deadly to the undead.
'I also need to make items for Noe and Randy.'
In retrospect, Noe always used his claws to fight and Randy used the copied weapon. They would become much stronger if he equipped them with items.
'As a bonus, I will learn magic.'
That would be the icing on the cake!
"Kukukuk!"
[…]
Grid laughed because he had tasted failure and frustration many times. This point of view was quite different from what Braham predicted.
'Has he lost his pride after the fight?'
Braham didn't know anything about psychology and had this absurd thought. His anger soared into the sky.
'He considers magic a bonus.'
Braham's affinity for Grid fell by 2. As a result, Braham's affinity for Grid was at 68 points. If the two of them were the opposite sex, it would be high enough for marriage.
***
It was an joyous day for Reidan.
Lord Grid returned after a long time.
“Dear husband!"
Irene, the heir to the best family in the kingdom and lady of Bairan, as well as Grid's duchess. She rushed to the outskirts of the city and greeted Grid. She was still bright, beautiful, and lovely.
"Irene."
“Dear husband~!"
Irene had become more aggressive after giving birth to Lord. She didn't care about the residents and soldiers watching as she hugged and kissed Grid. Grid was feeling embarrassed when Lauel sent him a whisper.
–In order to raise Reidan's fertility rate, you must set an example as the lord. Please share your hot love even more where people are watching.
“…"
OG:
Current schedule: 20 chapters a week.