Chapter 16 of 100

Chapter 16

10 min read2,590 words

Chapter 7

The First Epic Class

The next morning.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I logged into Satisfy and headed straight to the forge.

Kahn approached me as if he had been waiting for me, and I immediately poured out my grievances.

"Why did you entrust such an important task to some nobody named Huro? Am I not good enough compared to him? Shouldn't this have been my job?"

Kahn, who had been looking at me with a completely confused expression, finally understood and looked embarrassed.

"Did you mean the mission to inform Lord Steim about Winston's news?"

"Yes!"

Kahn chuckled and said with a proud look.

"You are truly an extraordinary young man. Despite your young age, you are not only talented but also possess a sense of justice and a spirit of sacrifice..."

"Yes?"

What is this guy talking about?

"Did you intend to risk great danger for the sake of the people of Winston, whom you have no connection with?"

"Uh? I didn't have that intention; I just wanted the reward..."

"Say no more. You are too humble for your own good."

"..."

Kahn, misunderstanding me, was praising me as if I were an incredibly good person!

Not knowing what to say, I stood there silently, and Kahn placed his hand on my shoulder.

"I understand your concern for the people of Winston. But I would never put you in danger, right? You are as precious to me as my own son. I cannot ask you to do something dangerous."

Kahn's eyes were infinitely warm.

"The Mero Guild has been thoroughly monitoring you ever since they noticed your close relationship with me. If you show any signs of leaving Winston at this point, the Mero Guild will not let you go. If anything were to happen to you, I would be devastated."

Kahn genuinely cared for me. My heart was touched, and I felt ashamed of my misunderstanding.

"Kahn... I didn't understand your feelings and thought you didn't trust me."

"How could that be? I trust and rely on you more than anyone else. That's why I entrusted you with the challenge against the Mero Guild, which is crucial for the future of this forge."

Now that I think about it, that's true. I had no reason to doubt Kahn from the beginning.

Kahn, seeing me embarrassed and unable to say anything, spoke with a determined tone.

"Let's focus on the challenge! We need to show the Mero Guild what we're made of!"

"Is the date of the challenge set?"

"Yes! It's in two days! Start honing your skills right away! Let's refine the legendary blacksmithing techniques you inherited and surprise everyone!"

Great! I'm motivated!

"Understood! I will definitely win the challenge!"

"Good spirit! Although I may not match your skills, my lifetime of experience will surely be a great help to you! I will do my best to assist you!"

With Kahn's encouragement, I began to intensify my training from that day on.

I repeatedly practiced various crafting techniques to become more proficient and refined them to be more solid. I also thoroughly mastered efficient movements, reducing unnecessary ones.

The probability of crafting rare and epic items gradually increased.

[Crafted a rare item, all stats permanently increased by +2, reputation across the continent increased by +30.]

[Crafted an epic item, all stats permanently increased by +4, reputation across the continent increased by +80.]

[Stamina increased.]

[Dexterity increased.]

It was also fun to increase my stamina and dexterity stats.

However, there was one drawback. The limitation of the materials I possessed.

Kahn was completely broke, and I couldn't afford to buy high-quality materials with my meager savings. So, I used only the materials stored in Kahn's warehouse, which were mostly low-grade. Kahn said he couldn't get good materials due to the Mero Guild's interference. Therefore, I couldn't craft high-performance items.

The higher the level and performance of the crafted item, the faster the crafting skill experience points increase and the higher the market value. Low-level and low-performance items, even if crafted at the rare level or higher, have slower skill experience point gains and lower market value.

‘I might as well sell the rare items to the shop, but at least the epic items can be sold to players.’

Grade: Epic

Durability: 19/19 Attack: 35~40 Attack Speed: +2%

This sword was crafted by a nameless blacksmith with great skill and potential but lacking in experience and reputation, using low-grade iron.

The length and weight are perfectly balanced, making it easy to use. The user can attack slightly faster.

It's impressive that such a work was created with weak materials.

Usage Condition: Level 12 or higher. Strength 30 or higher. Beginner Sword Mastery.

Grade: Epic

Durability: 24/24 Defense: 22 Evasion: +3%

This armor was crafted by a nameless blacksmith with great skill and potential but lacking in experience and reputation, using rough rat leather.

It is designed and crafted to be completely comfortable for the user. The user can move more quickly.

It's impressive that such a work was created with weak materials.

Usage Condition: Level 13 or higher. Beginner Leather Armor Mastery.

“The names are a bit crude, but...”

If a level 12 or 13 player equips such weapons or armor, hunting will become much easier. For low-level players who have spent money to acquire enough gold, these items would be desirable.

<Legendary Blacksmith's Technique> Lv.1 (12.7%)

<Legendary Blacksmith's Breath> Lv.1 (8.9%)

‘When I crafted the Yapha arrows, the experience points increased by 3.7% and 2% each time, but now, even after crafting dozens of items, it has only increased this much.’

It was indeed disappointing that the crafting skill experience points were increasing slowly.

However, I wasn't too concerned.

Regardless of the skill experience points, my own crafting experience was growing, which was a sufficient consolation.

‘It’s not an illusion. Even though the level of the Legendary Blacksmith's Technique is still 1, I can craft items more proficiently now than when I crafted the Yapha arrows.’

My crafting speed increased, and the quality improved.

If the level of the Legendary Blacksmith's Technique and my dexterity stat were to increase, my crafting ability would become even more exceptional.

‘But realistically, it’s impossible to level up the Legendary Blacksmith's Technique before the day of the challenge. The best choice for me now is to increase my dexterity stat, right?’

The higher the dexterity, the higher the quality of the items.

To ensure a more definite victory, I decided to invest my stat points into dexterity.

“Status window.”

Name: Grid

Level: 21 (5,350/16,700)

Class: Pagma's Descendant

*Increased probability of adding additional options when crafting items.

*Increased probability of item enhancement.

*Can wear all equipment items without conditions, but penalties apply based on item grade.

Title: The Legendary One

*Resistant to status effects.

*Hard to die when health is at a minimum.

*Easily recognized.

Health: 936/936 Mana: 177/177

Strength: 104 Vitality: 52 Agility: 96 Intelligence: 59

Dexterity: 99 Stamina: 60

Composure: 44 Indomitable: 50 Dignity: 44 Insight: 44

Stat Points: 130

Weight: 842/3,080

Thanks to consistently crafting rare and epic items, my stats have significantly increased. I also have 130 stat points.

I pondered how to invest these stat points.

‘If I invest all the points into dexterity, my crafting skills will improve greatly. It will definitely have a tremendous effect. But if I focus too much on one stat, I might regret it later.’

I thought carefully.

‘I’ve already increased my strength and agility significantly, so I don’t need to increase them further right now. But my vitality is relatively low, so it would be better to increase it. When facing enemies with strong attacks, like the thugs I fought recently, higher health and defense are advantageous.’

Having made my decision, I started allocating my stats.

[Invest 60 stat points into vitality. Is that correct?]

“Yeah.”

[Once invested, points cannot be refunded. Proceed?]

“Sure.”

[Invest 70 stat points into dexterity. Is that correct?]

“Okay.”

[Once invested, points cannot be refunded. Proceed?]

“Stop asking and just do it. Status window!”

Name: Grid

Level: 21 (5,350/16,700)

Class: Pagma's Descendant

*Increased probability of adding additional options when crafting items.

*Increased probability of item enhancement.

*Can wear all equipment items without conditions, but penalties apply based on item grade.

Title: The Legendary One

*Resistant to status effects.

*Hard to die when health is at a minimum.

*Easily recognized.

Health: 1,536/1,536 Mana: 177/177

Strength: 104 Vitality: 112 Agility: 96 Intelligence: 59

Dexterity: 169 Stamina: 60

Composure: 44 Indomitable: 50 Dignity: 44 Insight: 44

Stat Points: 0

Weight: 842/3,080

“Haha!”

I trembled with joy.

Anyone who saw my status window now would be shocked. How could this be the stats of a level 21 character? Just the total of all stats alone is over level 75.

Strength, vitality, agility, intelligence.

Even just the total of these basic stats is close to level 40!

‘Now I see, crafting classes are incredibly good for grinding stats.’

The benefit of all stats permanently increasing every time a high-grade item is crafted is not limited to blacksmiths but is common to all crafting classes.

If used well, crafting classes can overcome their lack of combat skills with high stats.

Of course, it requires a lot of grinding!

“Since it’s come to this, I’ll accept a grinding life! This body’s livelihood is grinding! I’ll show the power of a grinder!”

After roughly eating some bread to satisfy my hunger, I focused on crafting again. I didn’t lose my concentration until the day of the challenge.

I felt my mental strength growing along with my character.

[Crafted a rare item, all stats permanently increased by +2, reputation across the continent increased by +30.]

“Hahaha!!”

I felt a joy I never experienced when I was a warrior, mindlessly grinding and repeating quests to level up.

“What...? Am I dreaming? How did you improve so much in such a short time?”

Kahn, who had returned after a short break, was shocked to see me.

I couldn’t honestly tell the NPC, “My dexterity stat increased,” so I made up an excuse.

“I’m not just an ordinary genius, so I keep improving rapidly.”

Kahn was moved.

“That’s right, that’s right! I momentarily forgot that you are Pagma’s descendant! Haha, to be connected with a newly born legend like this, I have no regrets even in death! Great! I’ll also try my best!”

It was raining continuously in the real world, so I could stay logged into Satisfy almost all the time except for sleeping. As I steadily grew, the day of the challenge soon arrived.

***

Currently, there are three epic classes in Satisfy.

However, except for the most recent one, the Blood Warrior, detailed information about the others has not been revealed.

The first epic class to appear has not been revealed, and the second one is only known to have been obtained by Agnus, who is 7th in the overall ranking.

Satisfy players are desperate to know the identities of the two secret epic classes, and endless discussions about them are taking place in related communities and broadcasts.

But without the information being revealed by the players themselves, it’s just speculation.

What are the two epic classes? Are they as powerful as the Blood Warrior that Katsu recently obtained? Or could they be even more powerful?

In the Kingdom of Etrnal.

Near the capital of the Steim Barony, in the Akeron Dungeon.

“Ouch, the monsters here are too strong. I shouldn’t have come here.”

A beautiful blonde girl was frowning.

Male players approached her, enchanted by her fairy-like appearance.

“Akeron Dungeon is a place where even high-level players find it difficult to solo. Would you like to join our party? We have a skilled swordsman.”

“No, come to our party. We are very familiar with this dungeon and have acquired various techniques. Our hunting speed is unmatched. You will definitely be satisfied if you join us.”

“No! Come to our party! We’ll share a lot of items with you!”

Satisfy characters are not entirely fictional.

When creating a character, its appearance reflects the player’s real-life appearance. Only minor adjustments can be made to skin tone, hairstyle, tattoos, scars, and height.

In other words, beautiful people in Satisfy are generally beautiful in real life, and this is why male players were openly showing their interest in the blonde girl.

‘She’s a rare beauty!’

‘She’s my type!’

Hearts were shooting out of the eyes of the male players as they looked at the girl.

Seemingly used to being pampered, the girl challenged them with a matter-of-fact attitude.

“Do you really want me in your party? Then show me by hunting the monsters in front of me. I want to join a strong party. I’ll check your skills and join the party of the strongest one I see.”

“What does she think she is? Asking for such things.”

“Yeah, she’s useless, but if a party accepts her, she should be grateful and follow along.”

Female players cursed the girl for being annoying. However, male players were even more captivated by her pearl-like voice and became more motivated.

“Wooh! I’ll definitely keep that promise! Flame Barrier! Sword of Fire!”

“Beautiful maiden! I will prove my strength to you! Whirlwind of Madness!”

“Hmph, fools. You think you can’t handle me? Steel Skin! One-Point Breakthrough!”

“Skill-less people like to talk a lot. Thunder Strike!”

The male players, each using their best skills, showed off their prowess as they charged at the monsters.

Boom! Bang! Crack!

A storm raged, lightning struck, flames soared, and walls were pierced, shaking the massive dungeon with powerful skills.

The terrifying monsters were fleeing in a bizarre scene!

The blonde girl, the cause of this chaos, was watching the mage who used the Whirlwind of Madness.

‘They say he’s the best in wind magic, and indeed, he lives up to the reputation. It was worth the effort to find him.’

Using her extremely high Insight stat and the ‘Skill Observation’ skill, she analyzed the Whirlwind of Madness and whispered.

“Skill Replication.”

[Replication of <Whirlwind of Madness> Lv.3 successful.]

[You can use <Whirlwind of Madness> Lv.3 once. You can permanently retain it until you use it.]

Lv.3

Creates a whirlwind that deals 1,530~2,380 damage per second for 5 seconds. The agility of targets caught in the whirlwind decreases by 80%.

Skill Mana Cost: 700

Skill Cooldown: 300 seconds

The blonde girl’s name is Yufemina.

Her class is the Replicator.

The Replicator’s exclusive skills, ‘Skill Observation’ and ‘Skill Replication,’ analyze and replicate the skills used by the target. Once replicated, Yufemina can use the skill once at her discretion, regardless of what it is.

Although there is a fatal drawback that the number of times the ‘Skill Replication’ can be used is limited to three times per day, it is still an overwhelmingly powerful skill.

‘With this, I can defeat Piaro.’

Yufemina left the dungeon, leaving behind the males who were competing for her, and quickly reached the Kesang Valley.

“I found it.”

After thoroughly searching the valley, Yufemina found a small cave. Before entering, she read the quest content one last time to prepare mentally.

Difficulty: S

Piaro, a former comrade of Asmofel, committed a terrible act of betrayal. As a result, Asmofel suffered an irreparable wound and vowed to take revenge on Piaro.

However, fate was indifferent, and Asmofel fell ill.

Unable to take revenge himself, Asmofel entrusted you with the task of avenging him