Chapter 33

Chapter 5

Kesan Canyon

Whoosh~

The wind that cuts through the towering cliffs, as if piercing the sky, is sharp. It stings the skin.

The river flows with such force that a single misstep could lead to a fall, and almost certain drowning.

Undoubtedly, this place boasts one of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth, but this is Kesan Canyon. One must never be deceived by its appearance. This place is perilous, no matter how many times it is described.

I examined the small caves densely scattered along the cliffs and steeled my resolve. To remind myself of why I had come here, I called up the quest information.

<Descendant of Pagma>

Difficulty: Class Change Quest

You have successfully inherited Pagma’s blacksmithing skills.

But do you truly know who Pagma is? Can you genuinely claim to have carried on his will?

Who is Pagma! If he were merely a skilled blacksmith, countless legends about him would not be scattered across the continent.

First, chase the legends of Pagma, starting with the clue of his sword dance that pierced the sky. If you can collect all the legends, you will truly understand Pagma and inherit his will.

You will be reborn as a new legend!

*There is no time limit for the class change quest.

*If you accept the legendary class change quest, you will not be able to change your class again.

*The legendary class change quest has the power to alter the world of Satisfy, depending on its outcome.

Class Change Quest Completion Condition: Successfully complete all linked quests.

Class Change Quest Reward: Unknown.

*First Class Change Quest: <Pagma’s Sword Dance>

130 years ago, a witness to Pagma’s sword dance has appeared and provided you with a clue about it.

Head to Kesan Canyon in the south of Winston and obtain the clue from Pagma carved into the northern cliff!

First Class Change Quest Completion Condition: Master Pagma’s sword dance.

First Class Change Quest Reward: Dainsleif (Replica).

<Dainsleif (Replica)>

Grade: Unique

Durability: 500/500

Attack Power: 451~635

Attack Speed: -8%

*Deals additional damage equal to 10% of the target’s current defense.

*Attack power increases with more enemies.

*Generates the skill ‘Golden Flash’.

Before Pagma’s time, Albatino, the first blacksmith to earn the title of ‘Master Blacksmith,’ attempted to recreate the mythic weapon Dainsleif.

While the result falls short of the original Dainsleif, it successfully restored some of its features, making the Dainsleif replica a remarkable masterpiece in its own right.

It was even praised as the ‘greatest masterpiece in human history’ by the founder of the Etrnal Kingdom, the Northern Tyrant Roland.

It is said that the legendary blacksmith Pagma also drew great inspiration from this work.

Usage Conditions: Level 250 or higher. Strength 1,800 or higher. Advanced Sword Mastery.

Weight: 1,580

While the Ideal Dagger became incredibly powerful with a +8 enhancement, its level requirement is 180, whereas Dainsleif’s level requirement is 250.

Thus, Dainsleif’s basic performance must surpass that of the Ideal Dagger.

Moreover, Dainsleif is a greatsword. Since I used a greatsword as my main weapon during my warrior days, my desire to own Dainsleif remains strong.

Most importantly, I want to master Pagma’s sword dance as soon as possible.

“Pagma’s sword dance, which is said to have pierced the sky… It’s definitely a powerful attack skill. It’s a skill I need, given that I have almost no attack skills.”

With a clear sense of purpose, I quickened my pace to find the northern cliff.

How long had I walked?

Thud.

A small pebble fell from above.

“Huh?”

Looking up, I saw dust quietly rising between the cliffs.

I had a premonition.

‘It’s a monster!’

And indeed, as the dust slowly cleared, the entrance to a cave was revealed, and a monster emerged from within.

It was a massive lizard, reminiscent of a dinosaur, with a tongue that looked sharper than any sword.

I knew the identity of this lizard.

The Canyon Lizard, boasting a level of 162.

“Damn it!”

I am now much stronger than I was during my warrior days. I might even be able to face this Canyon Lizard head-on.

But instinct is a powerful thing!

I recalled the time I was instantly killed by this lizard’s blade-like tongue piercing my heart and instinctively shrank back, fleeing.

The Canyon Lizard, sliding down the cliff at incredible speed, began to track me with astonishing speed.

“Ah! Get lost! Please, just go away!!”

I pleaded with the Canyon Lizard. But it was a heartless creature, showing no mercy.

“Keeeh!!”

Not only did it catch up to me, but it also appeared in front of me, turning its body sideways and swinging its tail.

Bang!!

I narrowly avoided the lizard’s tail, and the massive rock that took the hit instead shattered into pieces.

Struck by a fragment of the rock and bleeding, I gritted my teeth.

“This lizard… Fine, if I can’t avoid it, I’ll fight! Blacksmith’s Fury! Blade Wind!”

Kaboom!!

A sharp wind flew towards the Canyon Lizard. The momentum of the Blade Wind was incredibly fierce, emitting a massive roar that shook the canyon as it struck the lizard’s head, causing it to scream in pain.

[Dealt 1,230 damage to the target.]

“Wow.”

The Canyon Lizard is a monster with high attack and agility, but relatively low defense.

Its defense is likely on par with or slightly higher than that of the Frostbite Orc.

Yet, the damage dealt by the Blade Wind was enormous.

This means the power of the Blade Wind has become much stronger compared to when I used it against the Frostbite Orc.

Well, thinking about it, it was a natural phenomenon.

When I hunted Frostbite Orcs, my weapon was +0, but now it’s +8. The increase in weapon attack power has also increased the skill’s attack power.

“Great!”

I was no longer afraid of the massive lizard in front of me. It even seemed as easy to handle as the Frostbite Orcs.

“Unbreakable Justice!”

[Dealt 12,507 damage to the target.]

“Keeeh!!”

Even without a critical hit, it dealt this much damage!

The Canyon Lizard twisted in pain, but it still managed to counterattack.

Smack!

[Took 2,019 damage.]

“Ouch!”

Blindsided by the tail, I saw stars.

Thanks to the unique and epic-grade armor like the Frostbite Orc Chief’s Helmet and Kan’s Masterpiece, I only took this much damage. If I had worn inferior armor, I would have taken much more damage.

‘Thanks, Kan.’

Kan’s Masterpiece has an option that reduces physical damage by 20%, meaning it boasts excellent defense against physical attacks.

I felt grateful to Kan, who had given me this excellent armor for free.

Then, the lizard’s blade-like tongue aimed directly at my heart.

I was enraged.

“This lizard! You killed me with that tongue before, and now you’re trying to do it again?! I won’t let you, you little brat! Swift Movement!”

Using Swift Movement, I greatly increased my agility and evasion, easily dodging the lizard’s tongue attack. I then approached the lizard’s chin and, with a jump, plunged the Ideal Dagger into its jaw.

[Critical Hit!]

[The Ideal Dagger’s option effect activated, causing the target to instantly die.]

“Kue… Uuu…”

The Canyon Lizard, once a source of nightmares, now collapsed helplessly in front of me, turning gray.

[Defeated the Canyon Lizard.]

[Obtained 9 gold.]

[Obtained the Canyon Lizard’s tongue.]

[Obtained 329,000 experience.]

“…Wow.”

I couldn’t help but admire myself.

“I’m really strong, huh?”

Even with high stats and the Ideal Dagger’s option effect, to defeat a level 162 monster so easily at level 85!

“This is the power of gear!”

This is why people go to great lengths to obtain good items, even spending real money!

“Keeooh!”

New monsters appeared, drawn by the noise of the battle.

This time, the opponents were three Canyon Lizardmen.

Though the numbers were a bit overwhelming, I didn’t back down.

I knew that even if I fled, they would chase me, and the process would likely attract more monsters, leading to being surrounded by even more enemies.

“I can win. I can win!”

I repeated this to myself, almost hypnotizing myself.

I dodged the Lizardmen’s halberd attacks with Swift Movement, used Blacksmith’s Fury, drank a mana potion, and then cast Unbreakable Justice.

Kaboom!

“Keeek!!”

The Lizardmen were not to be underestimated. The three of them raised their shields to block my attack as soon as I attacked.

However, they were clearly shaken, unable to fully absorb the damage.

Seeing this, I gained even more confidence and used Blade Wind to break their formation.

I then took advantage of their confusion, rushing in and attacking them directly with my dagger.

Thud! Thud!

Every time the blue light around the Ideal Dagger flashed, the Lizardmen’s bodies were cut.

[Dealt 2,600 damage to the target.]

[Dealt 2,830 damage to the target.]

[The Best Gauntlet’s option effect activated, allowing two attacks on the target.]

[Dealt 5,705 damage to the target.]

“Kyaah!!”

The Canyon Lizardmen had the same tough skin as the Canyon Lizard and were even equipped with crude iron armor.

I can confidently say that the Canyon Lizardmen’s defense surpasses that of the Frostbite Orcs.

But despite their defense, they screamed in pain every time they were cut by my dagger.

I managed to defeat them just before the duration of Swift Movement and Blacksmith’s Fury ended.

[Defeated the Canyon Lizardman.]

[Defeated the Canyon Lizardman.]

[Defeated the Canyon Lizardman.]

[Obtained 11 gold.]

[Obtained 9 gold.]

[Obtained 12 gold.]

[Obtained a damaged sapphire.]

[Obtained a crude halberd.]

[Obtained 316,000 experience.]

[Obtained 316,000 experience.]

[Obtained 316,000 experience.]

“Huff… huff…”

I had used up two-thirds of my health and all of my mana to defeat the three Lizardmen.

‘I only have four skills, yet my mana is so insufficient…’

My current maximum mana is only in the 500s. Even though my mana recovery speed is not slow, using each of my combat skills once almost drained my mana.

I was glad I had brought enough mana potions and sat down to rest.

After confirming that my health and mana were fully recovered, I got up and continued on my way.

‘If I kill two more monsters, I’ll level up again.’

The Canyon’s monsters no longer frightened me. They now seemed like delicious experience points, just like the Frostbite Orcs.

However, there was one exception…

Thud! Thud! Thud!!

A very eerie and ominous sound of footsteps approached quickly from the top of the cliff.

I quickly turned my gaze and nearly wet my pants when I saw the source of the footsteps.

A pitch-black spider, larger than two 15-ton trucks placed side by side, was staring at me with its gleaming eyes.

“H-H-Canyon Spider!”

The Canyon Spider is one of the top predators among the Canyon’s monsters. Its level is a staggering 180! Even the Canyon Lizard and Lizardmen would become prey if caught in its web.

It is speculated that the reason the Canyon’s monsters live in caves is to protect themselves from the Canyon Spider.

Such a formidable creature had appeared right in front of me.

“H-H-H…”

In the past, being eaten alive by a Canyon Spider became a trauma, causing me to develop a severe spider allergy. Facing the Canyon Spider, I felt my energy drain away.

My body was covered in goosebumps, and my legs felt weak, making it hard to stand.

“Keeek…”

The Canyon Spider made a strange sound and spun a web. It then swung down on the web and stopped right in front of my nose.

“Aaaaaah!!”

Compared to its massive body, the Canyon Spider’s head was incredibly small. The moment its head stopped in front of my eyes, its mouth opened wide, revealing sharp teeth in a threatening manner.

I swung my dagger wildly in an attempt to resist.

However, my blind attacks did not reach the Canyon Spider. Swinging on the web, it easily dodged my attacks and fired a web at me.

Swoosh!

Initially launched in a cocoon shape, the web expanded to a diameter of three meters in less than a second in mid-air!

If even a corner of my clothes touched this web, I would be completely wrapped up and eventually become the Canyon Spider’s prey.

Knowing this, I desperately tried to avoid the web, but my legs were still weak, making it difficult to move.

But then!

[Those who have become legendary do not easily feel fear.]

The special effect of the Descendant of Pagma activated, freeing me from my spider allergy. I narrowly avoided the web and, upon exhaling a sigh of relief, noticed that the spider’s expression seemed to mock me.

Then, its relentless attack began.

Swish! Swish!

Continuous web shots!

A web net spread across the sky.

“Damn it!”

I dodged the webs, and dodged again. Eventually, I felt my limits.

‘This annoying web… No matter how much I dodge, it keeps coming. If I keep dodging, I’ll tire out and eventually be caught.’

I needed to restrain it so it couldn’t easily shoot webs.

“Blade Wind!”

I decided and aimed at the Canyon Spider’s massive body, casting Blade Wind. The spider, hit by the Blade Wind, swung a few times in the air while hanging from the web. However, it didn’t take any significant damage.

[Dealt 300 damage to the target.]

“Damn! What kind of defense is this?!”

The damage dealt by the Blade Wind, cast with the +8 Ideal Dagger, was so minimal that it was unbelievable!

The Canyon Spider’s defense was overwhelming. It surpassed not only the Frostbite Orcs and the Canyon Lizard but even the Frostbite Orc Chief.

While the Canyon Spider’s level is 40 higher than the Frostbite Orc Chief, the latter is a boss monster, and the former is a regular monster. Yet, a regular monster has a higher defense than a boss monster…

‘Of course, its health is much lower than the Frostbite Orc Chief, but what’s the point? With such high defense, its health doesn’t wear down.’

Feeling frustrated, the Canyon Spider, slightly scratched, began to shoot more webs even faster.

“Crap! Swift Movement!”

A temporary increase in evasion and agility!

I managed to barely dodge the continuous web shots during the duration of Swift Movement.

Just as I was dodging, the cooldown for Blade Wind ended.

“Blacksmith’s Fury! Blade Wind!”

Boom!

The Canyon Spider was very large, making it an easy target. The Blade Wind, enhanced by Blacksmith’s Fury, easily hit the spider’s protruding belly. However, it still didn’t take any significant damage.

[Dealt 344 damage to the target.]

“Seriously, what kind of defense is this? It’s cheating!”

“Kyaah!”

While dodging the incoming webs, I kept thinking.

‘Blade Wind alone isn’t enough to fight this thing. Unbreakable Justice might have some effect…’

Blade Wind is a skill that deals 60% of the user’s attack power. However, since I don’t meet the