Chapter 12

The sudden activation of a 10-star skill, which wasn't in the script, left not only Carpe but even the Heavenly Horse greatly flustered. As a result, the momentum was lost, and Carpe nearly lost his head to the assailant's surprise attack.

"Well, at least it all worked out in the end."

-Is that all you have to say? You found two effects of the 10-star skill!

Thus far, the revealed abilities of 'Unlock' are three in total.

Appraisal of unidentified items, removal of traps, and removal of status abnormalities.

-Trap removal. Well, it's not a rare or unique ability. But why couldn't it remove the monster egg trap in the tutorial? Is it because the skill level was too low?

"Bro, how would I know what you don't know?"

-Hmm. Well, let's say trap removal is fine, but status abnormality removal is too overpowered. Surely it doesn't remove all status abnormalities?

"It probably has limits. I aim for invincibility, but immunity to all status abnormalities would be going too far."

-Right. That would be absurd.

The skill 'Absolute Body,' which reduces the duration of physical status abnormalities like poison, bind, stun, and burn by 90%, is an 8-star skill.

And 'Mingjingzhishui,' which grants immunity to mental attack skills like charm, brainwashing, and sleep, is a 9-star skill.

Even if it's a 10-star skill, combining the effects of both would be way over the line.

-If it really does, I'll burn down the Lase headquarters. This game should be shut down!

"Ghost, how are you going to set it on fire? Stop talking nonsense and wrap it up."

Carpe took out a sword from his inventory, equipped it, and walked towards the assailant. The stun effect should have worn off long ago, but for some reason, the assailant stood motionless.

Carpe raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Quiet. Not attacking again?"

"Hmph. Once you hit a vital point and stun me, my defeat is already certain. I have no intention of dragging out a lost battle."

"Hmm."

The One-Piece Gang member he first met was willing to give up items and numbers in exchange for his life... This one was completely different.

"Neat. Not all One-Piece Gang members are weirdos."

"I am not a member of the One-Piece Gang. I am merely a wanderer temporarily hired by them."

"So you want to be spared?"

"No, that's not it. What does my affiliation matter? We fought, and I lost. What other choice does a loser have besides death?"

Hanzo looked up and glanced at Carpe. From his earlier muttering, it was clear that the opponent was streaming the current situation.

Begging for mercy after losing a battle that was being broadcast live? That would never happen in Hanzo's code!

In such a situation, it was best to calmly accept defeat and embrace death.

"Hmph. I never thought I'd lose to the same person twice."

"…Twice? What are you talking about? I've never seen you before."

"Have you forgotten your past life? Ah, I see! You've decided not to dwell on the past. Truly, a transcendent being! A man of great character!"

"…."

Correction.

The One-Piece Gang is definitely a collection of weirdos.

"Before I die, I have one request. Will you hear it?"

"No."

"Haha! You are truly a great man to accept so readily!"

"Huh. You really don't listen to people, do you?"

Just as Carpe, feeling increasingly exhausted, raised his sword to end the situation—

Ding.

['TadaToushin' has sent a friend request. Do you accept?]

"…."

-….

"Will you not be friends?"

"Will I?!"

[Friend request rejected.]

Hanzo smiled bitterly and looked up at the sky.

"A good night to die."

Thud.

[The opponent has died.]

With the notification, Hanzo's body turned gray and slowly disappeared.

The sky was as clear and blue as ever.

* * *

Not long after Hanzo fell to Carpe's hand.

"Guild Master, it seems there's a commotion in the beginner city."

"Just a moment."

The man receiving the report struck the ground with his massive battle axe. In front of him lay a huge monster, a Basilisk, one of the elite monsters known for being difficult to hunt in the Kras Desert.

"Ah, you nasty thing. Finally dead. So, there's a commotion, you say?"

"Yes. There's trouble in the beginner city of Reichen."

"Reichen, huh. One of two possibilities then. Which one? The guild or the One-Piece Gang?"

"The One-Piece Gang."

"Hmm. The One-Piece Gang."

The man called Guild Master, Mammon, listened half-heartedly while rummaging through the spot where the Basilisk's body had disappeared.

"Ah, damn. It's not dropping again. Why is the drop rate for Basilisk's blood so terrible?"

"Should I have someone search the auction house?"

"No, it's fine. When people try to solve everything with money, it's no fun. It's better to gather and craft these things yourself. Don't you think so, Team Leader Gwak?"

"…Indeed."

It was absurd to hear such words from the most money-obsessed person he knew, but Gwak Museong bowed his head obediently. After all, the man in front of him paid his salary.

"Was it another attack on the One-Piece Gang?"

"Yes. Someone came in and caused chaos. It seems to be an alt, so the One-Piece Gang sent… no, Hanzo."

"So, it's over. It's a common occurrence, right? Why make such a fuss…"

"He lost."

"What?"

"The One-Piece Gang's ranker lost. He was completely defeated and logged out. He sent an email saying, 'I lost, and now I'm leaving'…"

"Lost and leaving? What does that mean!"

Thud!

Mammon struck the ground with his battle axe again, this time with emotion.

"Three battles, win all three, that was the deal, right? Team Leader Gwak, am I wrong?"

"Definitely not."

"But he's leaving?"

"Yes, yes. He's saying incomprehensible things, and I don't understand what's going on…"

"Show me the email."

Mammon quickly read the email after a brief operation. His expression grew increasingly strange as he read.

"…Met a friend and goal from a past life. Leaving to follow them. Will repay the remaining debt later. What does this mean?"

"I, I don't know either."

"Ah, what a crazy concept."

His mouth was bitter.

While his personality was unpredictable and his background was a mess, the Sword Emperor was one of the top ten combatants Mammon knew.

If the conditions were right, he was a player who could definitely place his nickname in the top 20 rankings.

'That's why I deliberately set up a trap to create a debt.'

Mammon frowned. This way, the investment would result in a negative return.

"Ah, what's done is done. Contact the One-Piece Gang. Who's in charge there?"

"Team Leader Jung Woo-hyuk."

"Ah, right. Jung Woo-hyuk. Tell him to have the members travel in groups as much as possible. At least 10 or more."

"But there might be areas we can't cover?"

"Better than having everyone die. Ah, this is frustrating. We should be gathering coins right now."

The guerrilla quest that only occurs in the beginner city.

Very few people knew about this information, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the Mammonism Guild had a monopoly on it.

It reoccurred about a week to ten days after the last quest, and today was exactly one week.

"Contact the guild and increase the number of members stationed around the village. If they spot a middle-aged male NPC they haven't seen before, have them report it immediately."

"Understood."

"Tsk. How long do we have to allocate resources to a beginner city?"

Despite feeling that it was excessive for just a beginner city, he couldn't give up. Mammon gently stroked his axe.

Ding.

[War Axe of the Steel Song Chieftain]

[Grade: Legendary]

[Equip Requirements: Level 120+, Strength 95+, Health 80+, Battle Axe Mastery Lv. 10+]

[Physical Attack: 550~980]

- Strength + 15

- Health + 15

- Agility - 5

[The great chieftain of the orcs, Krandish Shuhka, used this battle axe in his lifetime. It is imbued with Shuhka's lifelong dedication to the battlefield.]

- Additional Option 1: You will not be attacked first by orcs of your level or lower.

- Additional Option 2: +10% Critical Hit Chance, +20% Critical Hit Damage

- Additional Option 3: Absorbs certain items to grow.

*Item becomes bound upon acquisition

One of the few weapons that could be counted on one hand among all the items discovered in Lase. A true masterpiece, fitting the term 'Another Class.'

Mammon recalled the first time he obtained this item. He trembled as if struck by lightning. It was the most thrilling moment he had ever experienced.

He hurriedly searched the auction house for the