Chapter 100

Rather than dispersing their forces, it would be best to concentrate their strength and repel the Four Fiends when they attack the designated cities, to minimize the damage and prevent the Four Fiends.

However, most of the city rulers were skeptical of this statement.

"There's no guarantee that the Four Fiends will become 'the very embodiment of the Abyss.'"

"Hmm. The other masters of the Abyss might also restrain the Four Fiends."

"They might not invade at all."

"Master, isn't your suggestion too pessimistic, assuming only the worst-case scenario?"

Rrrr!

Zephir shuddered.

'These bastards!'

They can't be reasoned with.

The meeting was convened from the start with the intention of causing friction.

To sever the warp connections to already linked cities, some degree of agreement is necessary.

"Even if the warps are severed, there's no guarantee that it won't cause damage to your cities."

One of the neutral city rulers, who had been silent, spoke up.

A bald monk dressed in orange robes.

He continued in a calm tone.

"Just connect to the warps of ownerless regions that don't require permission. Even if the Four Fiends don't become 'the very embodiment of the Abyss,' providing them with a platform to infinitely expand isn't a problem, is it?"

"Are you suggesting we all die?"

"If we do that, the cities won't be safe!"

The monk laughed softly.

"Ultimately, whether we die this way or that, we are already dead. If you act selfishly, I can also act selfishly."

It was a threat to become a water ghost if the severing was done unilaterally.

If they really wanted to be safe, they could sever all warps and sink into the Abyss.

Then, instead of the Four Fiends, other masters of the Abyss would welcome them.

"Huh."

"This is quite..."

In the end, the meeting returned to square one.

Non-stop negotiations continued, trying to reach a compromise that seemed to have no end.

*

"Are you ready with your excuses, Onyx?"

The Master, who personally attacked Onyx's hideout, frowned.

Onyx, who had been caught while trying to go into hiding, twisted his body.

"About that... I didn't expect the Four Fiends to appear suddenly... I didn't know either..."

"So you couldn't provide information on Phantom or kidnap the White King's daughter?"

"Ahahaha."

"This isn't a joke, Onyx."

The atmosphere grew heavy.

The killing intent in the Master's eyes.

Onyx swallowed hard.

"It's not like I didn't get anything. Information on the Black King and the Four Fiends could be sold for a high price, right?"

"Go on."

"Raktusha, a direct subordinate of the Black King, fought the Four Fiends."

"Raktusha... the Swordmaster Raktusha, the orc grand warrior?"

"Yes! And do you know what's even more surprising? The orc suddenly giantified. Based on the information I've gathered, it seems the Black King can grant 'hidden traits' to his direct subordinates."

The Master stroked his chin.

The trait of giants is 'giant's anti-magic resistance.'

If the Black King can grant hidden traits, this might be the reason he confidently targets the White King.

'So far, seven hidden traits have been discovered. The Black King might know more.'

Discovering hidden traits alone makes contacting the Black King worthwhile.

If the types of hidden traits and the talents linked to them can be discovered, it would be worth a fortune.

The Master has only discovered seven hidden traits over several years.

-Null

-Handiness

-Weapon Master

-Beast Lord

-Giant's Anti-Magic Resistance

-Golden Favor

-Gourmet

There are likely other hidden traits.

However, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't discover them.

If the Black King knows the rest, it's worth making contact, no matter the difficulty.

"The problem is that Raktusha still lost to the Four Fiends, despite being level 13."

"Is the Four Fiends above that level?"

"Yes. A level 14 or higher entity. How can we stop a monster on the level of the White King or the Black King? Unless the Holy Order's 'Holy Grail Knights' take action."

This is quite useful information.

Knowing the Four Fiends are level 14 or higher could be quite handy.

It could be sold to cities connected to the Practitioner's Mountain.

However, it's still not worth 50 million gold.

Sensing the bad vibes, Onyx quickly spoke up.

"Also, it seems Phantom is no longer at the Practitioner's Mountain."

"Why do you think so?"

"If he was there, I would have known or he would have been killed."

At the entrance of the mountain, Onyx had many eyes. In the center, there was an army of monsters, and at the top, Raktusha and the Four Fiends.

If he was there, he would have been discovered in some way.

Is that really the case?

'The maximum level for proficiency is limited...'

The Swordmaster Gracia was level 24, in first place.

The Master himself was level 22, in third place.

It's not easy to level up further on the mountain.

It's more efficient to level up moderately and prepare for the next quest.

"Besides, the Practitioner's Mountain has sunk. There's not enough time to level up further, right?"

This is also true.

The time invested and the proficiency level are proportional.

No matter how talented one is, with the mountain sunk, there's not enough time to train.

'So, did he really come down from the Hall of Fame without any ambition, just to reach level 15?'

Randolph, who was leading the Main Quest 6 with an overwhelming lead.

Did Randolph suddenly compromise at 7?

It's strange, but logically, it makes sense.

If Randolph didn't participate in the Abyss Labyrinth, the time he spent training on the Practitioner's Mountain would be about a month.

It's impossible to reach level 24 in that time.

No matter how talented and with a good class, it's the same.

'Yes, that's it...'

It's strangely reassuring.

The Master felt more at ease as Onyx spoke with confidence.

Yes.

Even the great Phantom has limits.

No matter how unconventional and bug-like his playstyle, Phantom can't have everything.

Phantom is human.

Some people regard Phantom as a god, but Phantom is not a god.

'Phantom is human.'

If he's human, he can be competed against.

If he's human, he can be defeated.

The Master had momentarily lost sight due to the overwhelming score and damage.

Finally!

... The moment the inhuman being was confirmed to be human.

The Master's empire can't be destroyed by just a human.

Just knowing this is worth 50 million gold.

He had planned to eat and disappear, but decided to spare Onyx with a broad mind.

'Ah! I'm saved!'

Onyx felt relieved, seeing the Master's eyes.

The information he provided seemed quite useful.

The Master smiled at the corner of his mouth.

Onyx also smiled.

《The Hall of Fame rankings have changed.》

"..."

"..."

《The Hall of Fame ranking for Main Quest 7 has changed from 3rd to 4th.》

"..."

"..."

《1st – Randolph (500)》

《2nd – Gracia (420)》

《3rd – MintChocolateTastesGood (410)》

《4th – Master (400)》

"..."

"..."

Onyx was flustered.

Rough thoughts, anxious eyes.

'Ah, wait a moment.'

The Master, who seemed to have come from the depths of hell, watched.

... It seemed something was wrong.

*

《Settling the content.》

《The level far exceeds the set standard.》

《Achieved Sword Proficiency Level 30, 'Heavenly Realm.'》

《500 points total!》

《Obtained the 'Largest Piece of the Golden Rule (300h).'》

《Obtained 100 Influence Points.》

《Influence Points can be used to enhance Influence.》

《All members of the Throne observed you and were forced to raise the reward standard.》

《You possess a Lucky Dice.》

《The reward list level has increased to 101.》

《You can choose one of the five 'Swords' below.》

《Great Carnage》, 《Dragon Slayer》, 《Bonecrusher》, 《Lu-》, 《Transcendent Sword》

Perhaps because it was achieved through sword proficiency.

All the rewards were swords.

Moreover, all five swords were of a level that would make one's eyes widen.

'... These are swords that can raise the maximum level of sword proficiency.'

Sometimes, the maximum level of proficiency can be raised by class, stars, and very rarely, weapons.

Especially, it's even rarer for non-unique weapons to raise the maximum level of proficiency.

However, the five swords that appeared now all had the option to raise the maximum level of sword proficiency.

'They are all swords with almost predetermined uses. I need to choose carefully.'

Additionally, they were specialized swords.

They are powerful even when used normally, but they have even greater power under specific conditions.

I stroked my chin.

However, a smile naturally formed at the corner of my mouth.

'I can extend it further.'

This was not all.

《I reject the reward for the Hidden Quest (6).》

《I challenge a higher proficiency level!》

《Achieved the achievement 'Challenger Writing the Myth of Proficiency Levels!'》

《Reputation increased by 300.》

The hidden quest set by the mountain's owner!

Achieving Sword Proficiency Level 30, the reward was raised six times, but if the maximum level can be raised further, it's a different story.

The appearance of the achievement means that achieving this level will complete a 'myth' that is solely mine.

'Now, the real start.'

I couldn't imagine what would be given for surpassing level 31.

Just like overcoming all trials in the Mythical Chamber and obtaining out-of-standard mysteries, the completion of the myth I created would mean at least a unique-level reward!

Letter from the Empire

When receiving survival rewards for clearing the Abyss Labyrinth.

After summoning the soul of Swordmaster Raeli with the Radiant Throne and using over a thousand hours of the Golden Rule to fulfill seventeen thrones!

I was more tense than when I chose the Baal Helmet and the Uroboros Mark.

《Great Carnage》, a sword with the effect of carnage, as its name suggests.

In the concept of Pangaea, the difference between striking and carnage is 'depth.'

Striking means a shallow attack, while carnage means a deep, fatal attack.

And 《Great Carnage》 grants a 'piercing' effect of 5% to strikes with a sword.

It also leaves non-regenerating damage on pierced attacks.

The piercing effect is an option that must be obtained whenever possible.

《Dragon Slayer》, has a powerful piercing effect when dealing with dragons.

However, the Dragon Slayer has a 10% piercing option against dragons.

It's twice as effective as 《Great Carnage》 when dealing with dragons.

Dragons are all powerful, so it will be useful for a long time.

There are inevitably some dragons I will encounter in the future, such as the 'Glory Dragon Einhasar' in Main Quest 10.

《Bonecrusher》, a blunt greatsword. It gives additional effects to sword skills.

Despite its name, it's a weapon used by the greatest warriors of the giant race.

It's a greatsword larger than my body, but it can also be used as a blunt weapon.

Only those who can handle sword skills can use it lightly, and it has an additional effect of increasing the damage of sword skills.

《Lu-》, a combination holy sword. It would be useful if it can be combined.

Lu- is an incomplete holy sword, as its name suggests.

As a holy sword, it is naturally related to divine power.

When used by a Paladin-related class, it has a crazy performance of increasing the 'divine effect' by 50%.

It can provide additional effects when combined with other swords, but the problem is that I am a class unrelated to Paladins or divine power.

However, depending on the sword that combines with Lu-, I can use it.

To complete Lu-, a sword with a hyphen in front of its name is needed.

Like ‘-Ra’ or ‘-Aie’.

Even if not immediately, choosing it now would clearly show its performance as soon as it is completed.

Finally, 《Transcendent Sword》, a growth-type sword.

It is a growth-type sword.

After growing and reaching a certain level, it automatically strengthens to possess the effects of 'Ultimate, True, Annihilation, Carnage.'

And after achieving all four enhancements, it becomes a completed sword with a fifth transcendent effect.

'... One of these.'

They are all swords with clear characteristics.

I can only choose one.

I need to look at the path I will take in the future and choose the most effective sword.

The immediate destination is set.

'The Empire.'

When going to the Empire to obtain the Baal Armor, a battle might occur.

There is a high possibility that I will have to face the Empire's soldiers and knights.

Even if I obtain the Baal Armor, I need to consider the possibility of a battle with the Four Fiends or a similar monster.

A sword that can perform reliably in all scenarios.

'Growth-type and combination swords should be excluded.'

I need to get stronger immediately.

I have never deviated from this premise.

If I could choose two, I would prepare for the future with one, but since I can only choose one sword, I need a weapon that can make me stronger immediately.

Lu- and Transcendent Sword do not meet the prerequisites.

It's a bit disappointing, but I will have the chance to meet them again someday.

'A versatile Great Carnage, a Dragon Slayer with a significant effect on dragons, and a giant's weapon, Bonecrusher.'

The remaining candidates are these three.

It's not easy to choose.

After much deliberation, I made my decision.

《I have chosen 'Bonecrusher'!》

*

The player chat was flooded with discussions about Phantom.

-600 points...?

-180 points difference from second place, is this real?

-What am I seeing right now?

All players who participated in Main Quest 7 witnessed the moment the rankings changed.

The Hall of Fame, which collects the achievement scores of players participating in the Main Quest.

The first place changed there.