Chapter 88

The Kingdom of Lamarque.

Once the strongest nation that unified the continent, it has now become the weakest country, a tragic nation.

Users' reviews of the Kingdom of Lamarque were overwhelmingly negative.

"Since the country is small, there's no choice but to have limited content. Compared to the four major powers, it's too shabby."

"There are no outstanding hunting grounds, and no good drops. Why would you go there?"

"Most of all, the NPCs are too strict. I barely raised my favorability, and all I got were side quests..."

A country with not a single redeeming quality.

Users who had just completed their second class change, so-called 'Lase veterans,' made such judgments.

However, as with most things, the more you know, the more you see.

The judgments of users aiming for the top ranks in Lase were a bit different.

"Lamarque? Ah... It's not great, but it's not without its merits."

"Hmm. I probably wouldn't go to Lamarque even if I started over... But it does have some infrastructure."

"Even if other aspects are a bit lacking, the potential for a big win is attractive."

"There's a rumor that one of the current top-ranked players received a hidden quest in Lamarque and skyrocketed. He got it from a Lamarque general..."

"Yeah. If you catch the eye of the Four Great Factions, it's an instant reversal of fortune in Lamarque!"

The one element that makes the ordinary and weak country special.

Gillian, the Blade Master.

The name "One of the 11 Strongest on the Continent" was worth its weight in gold.

Among them, Gillian was famous for his very unique personality.

-If you put it nicely, he's eccentric; if you put it bluntly, he's crazy.

While the NPCs in Lamarque were uniformly hostile to users, Gillian was different.

He would freely offer teachings and quests to users who pleased him.

"Then isn't he a good NPC?"

-Only in the results... The process is a bit crazy.

If he sees a user with potential, he'll drag them to the training ground first.

And then he beats them.

Beats them, beats them, and beats them again.

Even in a virtual reality game where pain is barely felt, being beaten one-sidedly without any resistance is not a pleasant experience.

-When you get thoroughly beaten, you start to wonder why you're doing this in a game... It can lead to a mental breakdown. If you drop out during the process, you get nothing.

Even if you endure the process, the likelihood of getting no reward is much higher.

-If you endure the beating disguised as a training session and he says, 'Huh. I must be getting old. My eye for talent is really failing. You're no good,' and just kicks you out, wouldn't you be pissed? Just by looking at what he does, you can't tell if he's a master or a madman.

"Hmm... I just imagined it, and it's really intense."

-Isn't it? That's why he always ranks high in the worst NPC polls.

However, there is a lottery.

If you somehow manage to catch Gillian's eye, you get a huge reward.

He might give you a unique-grade weapon from his collection or even teach you a skill.

Of course, all of this is only if you earn Gillian's approval.

Whoosh!

"An heir of a legendary lineage from 800 years ago. I'm very much looking forward to this!"

Gillian swung his rectangular-shaped greatsword once and took a stance.

"I'll let you make the first move. No need to hold back; attack with all your might."

"Hmm..."

I understand the situation.

This eccentric old man has a condition where he wants to teach promising young people.

-Of course, I can't win. Let's see. At this point, Gillian is probably around level 290? Definitely not 300... Probably around there.

'Really high.'

Currently, the pinnacle of NPCs with a level difference of over 200 from Carpe.

Naturally, winning is out of the question, and even enduring is impossible due to the level difference.

That's why the quest only specifies getting his 'approval.'

However.

'Well, even if I lose, I should at least land a hit.'

-Right. Good attitude. Please, at least hit that old man's face and chest. Just to clarify, I'm not saying this because I got beaten up in my past life.

'...Let's say that.'

As Carpe took out Tina and Mirage from his robe pocket, Gillian's eyes sparkled.

"Wow. This is an honor. The seven legendary knights who guarded the Demon King. Are you planning to attack together? I don't mind. In fact, I welcome it!"

"No. If I move too aggressively, you might get caught in the crossfire."

"A knight wouldn't team up to attack in a duel. My lord. Please have a good fight."

"Master. Good luck."

Tina and Mirage said this and left the training ground, and Drek approached them.

"Hehe. While the general and the heir are sparring, I'll take care of you two. Is there anything you need? Would you like something to eat?"

"In that case, I'll have some tea."

"I'll have something sweet..."

"I happen to have some good tea leaves. So, I'll bring tea for Guanghui and cookies for Huan Ying..."

"Quack!"

"Ah, I'll add some acorns too. Please wait a moment. I'll have a servant bring them out."

With the party fully in spectator mode, Carpe took his stance.

His tightly clenched left fist forward, his right hand slightly behind.

His knees slightly bent, ready to spring at any moment.

When Carpe took a fighter's stance instead of a mage's, Gillian burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! A combat mage! You're just like the Demon King in that aspect. Very good! Come on!"

"Then I won't hold back!"

Pak!

Carpe kicked the ground with all his might and simultaneously cast a spell.

"Fire Arrow!"

A stream of flame arrows flew towards Gillian's face, but...

"Snap!"

Gillian, without dodging, deflected the fire arrow with his bare hands.

Bang!

A cloud of smoke rose with the explosion.

During the brief moment the smoke obscured Gillian's vision, Carpe accelerated again.

Whish!

A kick aimed at Gillian's side came rushing in.

A follow-up ambush taking advantage of the Fire Arrow's distraction.

A clean and flawless combo, but Gillian was a seasoned veteran.

Thud!

Carpe's attack was easily blocked by Gillian's greatsword, as if he had anticipated it.

'Tsk.'

Carpe clicked his tongue and stepped back.

As he pondered his next move, Gillian planted his greatsword on the ground and shouted.

"Pass!"

"...What?"

"The destructive power of your magic, your instantaneous speed, your combat sense and judgment. All of it is flawless! Impressive! You're head and shoulders above any other foreigners I've seen!"

Gillian's face was filled with genuine admiration.

Carpe was taken aback by the intense reaction.

"But, I only attacked once?"

"One attack is enough to judge. Very impressive. It's not just because you have the Demon King's power. You're naturally talented. You don't have a proper teacher, do you?"

"There's a ghost who gives me advice, but I haven't learned combat specifically from anyone."

"A ghost? I don't understand, but you don't have a teacher. Right. You don't have the feel of systematic training. You've learned through practical experience."

In short, he was a talent ripe for teaching.

"It seems the gods haven't abandoned the Kingdom of Lamarque. I'll be busy in my old age. Haha!"

"So, is the test over?"

"Of course! I, Gillian, the only duke of the Kingdom of Lamarque, promise to give you the greatest support. But, passing is passing..."

Thud!

Gillian pointed his greatsword at Carpe again.

"We should finish what we started, right? You'd feel uncomfortable if we just stopped here."

"Well, I expected that."

It was clear that Gillian was a natural combat enthusiast.

And Carpe was the same. A similar smile was now on Carpe's face.

"Then I'll come again."

"Un! Whenever you're ready!"

The battle resumed. The more the exchange of blows continued, the more Gillian's admiration grew.

"Good! That attack would have caught even a general of a major country off guard!"

"That one was too straightforward. But the power behind it was incredible!"

"Good! Very good!"

Carpe, deeply engrossed in the battle, moved with a sense of flow.

He was so focused that he didn't even notice the notification windows appearing in the corner of his vision.

[You have engaged in battle with an entity of incomparably high caliber.]

[As a reward, your Strength has increased by +1.]

[As a reward, your Dexterity has increased by +1.]

[As a reward...]

Countless notification windows!

Rewards that other users could only dream of were pouring in for Carpe.

How much time had passed?

"Huff. Huff."

Carpe collapsed on the spot.

Despite attacking relentlessly, he failed to land a single clean hit. Carpe had been hit a few times, but that was it.

"Haha! I almost let you through a few times. Very impressive."

"Huff... Huff. Even so, I couldn't land a single hit."

"Given our level difference, it's understandable. Don't be discouraged. What you've achieved is beyond