Chapter 89

Gillian Chance.

The top-tier users referred to catching Gillian's eye as a "chance."

If a chance erupted, an immediate rank reversal and a guaranteed spot in the top rankings were assured, making it the strongest lottery.

Now, that chance had erupted for Carpe.

But it had erupted a bit too intensely.

-What, he's going to give me a boost? I've never heard of Gillian doing that even once...

Cheonma muttered in disbelief, but it was a clear reality.

-Hmm... Is it because of his synergy as a descendant of the Demon King? Anyway, it's good. This was one of the hardest levels to grind. It'll be much easier now...

'But, putting that aside, does Lase have a concept of boosting? They must have blocked it, right?'

The act of high-level players carrying low-level players to boost their growth.

This behavior, known as "boosting" or "cheating," was an inseparable element of RPGs and one of the main factors that could ruin game balance.

'From my experience with multiple games, those where boosting thrives often end up failing.'

Can a boosted character really perform well in high-level end-game content?

There are skills and controls that need to be learned gradually, and skipping them would make it difficult to perform properly.

If a boosted character is included in a boss raid party?

The party would inevitably break up, and the user who caused it would face all the curses in the world.

Moreover, most players end up quitting the game because their skills don't match their level, which is a common trend.

'And if you grow through boosting, even mediocre items are fine. Mid-level equipment quickly becomes worthless, and the game economy collapses.'

Therefore, game developers usually implement measures to prevent boosting, which negatively impacts the game.

Fortunately, Lase was no exception.

-Of course, Lase has taken measures. For one, the system prevents high-level players from entering low-level areas.

Additionally, if the level difference between the lowest and highest level players in a party exceeds 10, no experience points are awarded.

If the level difference is more than 7, the item drop rate decreases by 30%, among other systems to prevent boosting.

'What, so I can't get a boost? Gillian is in the 200s, right?'

-Of course, these rules only apply to players. NPCs are exempt. It's not uncommon to hear stories of players receiving boosts from NPCs.

The most famous of these is the "Commander's Boost."

When the player's favorability with certain commanders reaches its peak, the commander sends their "Avatar" to help the player grow.

Naturally, the avatar's level and combat power are overwhelmingly higher than the player's, yet the party is still formed.

'Wow, crazy. I'm so jealous. My favorability with my commander is at its peak, but why don't I get anything like that?'

-...Anyway, that's why there are no restrictions on partying with NPCs...

'No, don't change the subject. Why doesn't my commander do that?'

While Carpe and Cheonma were having this conversation, Gillian laughed as if the problem was already solved.

"Haha! I thought it was a great plan. Alright, then... Oh, wait. I haven't even introduced myself yet. I am Gillian, the only Duke of the Lamarque Kingdom. I'm also known as the 'Sword Overlord.'"

"Ah, I'm Carpe."

"Great! Carpe. A manly name. What level are you at now? No, wait. Let me guess. I'm good at this."

Gillian stroked his beard and fell into thought.

"Hmm. Let's see. Most visitors to Lamarque have completed their second class change... But the difference is too great... Considering speed and power... Hmm! Got it!"

Gillian smacked his palm with his fist and said,

"At least level 65! So, I'll estimate you at 67. How about that? Of course, I'm right..."

"43."

"What? Forty-three? That's a bit off... Wait, what did you say?"

Gillian looked at Carpe with a "What the hell is this nonsense?" expression.

"Forty... three?"

"Yes, forty-three."

"Then you haven't completed your second class change yet!"

"Yes, I haven't. My level isn't high enough."

"Hmm..."

Gillian frowned. This was something that, according to his common sense, should never happen.

What Carpe had shown was far beyond what a 43-level character who hadn't completed their second class change could do.

"That doesn't make sense... Not just in terms of battle sense, but statistically. Unless you drank elixirs instead of water..."

"I did drink about two bottles of elixir in the beginner city."

Of course, the secret behind Carpe's stats was not the elixirs but the "Three Primordial" titles.

"Anyway, I'm really 43."

"Alright. There's no reason to lie about that. Hmm. I see. 43. There's a perfect place for that level."

Gillian pulled out the greatsword embedded in the training ground floor and continued,

"Alright, Drek. We'll be back, so please clean up. And try to plead with His Majesty! Seriously, after 800 years, the legendary successor visits, and they can't even give a proper welcome, let alone a reception."

"Hehe. You know the situation, General. Legends related to the Demon King are closely guarded secrets known only to those closely associated with the royal family. It's better not to attract attention. We'll proceed quietly."

"Still, I don't like it. Well, we'll be off then."

After grumbling for a while, Gillian led Carpe to a destination.

They passed through the castle corridors and arrived at Gillian's personal office.

"Ugh. It should be around here somewhere. Where did I put it?"

Gillian scratched his head with his rough hands and began searching the office.

"What are you looking for?"

"A scroll to teleport to the hunting ground. It's a bit far to walk. Hmm. I'm sure I put it around here, but it's been a while, so my memory is a bit fuzzy."

"Do you usually stay elsewhere?"

"Yes. The nearby country is the war-mongering Gilliant Empire. I usually guard the front lines. Ah, found it."

Gillian found a small scroll and laughed. He then placed his hand on Carpe's shoulder and said,

"Shall we go?"

Gillian tore the scroll, and when Carpe regained his senses, he was standing on a green hill.

It was a hill that looked like it belonged in an old PC Windows desktop background.

And on that hill, there were so many monsters that it was hard to count them all.

Keeek! Kieek!

The number of monsters was vast, but there was only one type.

Small, dinosaur-like monsters, slightly smaller than an adult male, were roaring ferociously.

-Saurs, indeed. They're famous for giving a lot of experience, but they're usually not that numerous...

Despite Cheonma's comment that they weren't usually that numerous, the hill was filled with endless groups of Saurs.

"Hmm. It's been a while since I've been here, and they've really multiplied. Looks like they've been reproducing a lot."

According to Gillian's chuckling explanation, this place was a private property of the royal family.

"In the past, the Demon King experimented with breeding Saurs... The aftereffects of that experiment made the Saurs here reproduce rapidly. If we don't periodically reduce their numbers, they'll overflow."

"Come to think of it, I've heard of this, my lord. It's said that the Demon King developed a taste for Saur meat..."

"Yes, yes. But then he got tired of it and left it alone. Master."

"Hmm. So there's a hidden story behind this. Haha! We suffer because of the Demon King's eating habits? That's amusing!"

"...I'll apologize on his behalf."

What a troublesome king...

Just like in the Elven Forest, he seemed to cause trouble everywhere.

And the consequences of his actions were left for future generations to bear. Thinking about what other outrageous messes he might have left behind was already terrifying.

"It's not your fault to apologize for. And it's not all bad. It's a great place to train the kingdom's soldiers, so we use it often. And..."

Gillian gripped his greatsword.

The Saur groups were already charging towards them.

"Isn't this a perfect nutrient for you now!"

Whoosh!

Gillian's massive greatsword swung at an incredible speed.

"Keeek?!"

"Kerlek!"

"Kaaak!"

With a single swing.

A single horizontal slash cut off the heads of three Saurs.

"Haha! It's been a while since I've done this, and it's fun. I'll be back quickly, so do what you want!"

Gillian then jumped into the middle of the Saur group.

Wherever he went, the cries of Saurs followed.

"...He's really a free spirit."

-That's just who he is, so don't worry. Trying to understand him will give you a headache.

"Um. But is the experience really increasing properly? I can't see my current experience, so this part is a bit frustrating."

But Carpe's doubt was quickly resolved.

[Level Up! Bonus points have been awarded.]

"...It's going well."

Carpe nodded and turned his gaze elsewhere.

There, a Saur was approaching him, drooling.

"Good. Watching him is getting