Chapter 55

Chapter 13 - Episode 2

The blindfold of the Executioner Demon was as plain in material and shape as could be. It was nothing more than a black blindfold made of animal skin. There was not a single trace of any special characteristics to be found.

If it were the Grid of the past, he would have complained before even attempting to appraise it.

"Ah, damn it! I wasted ten days just to get this measly, dirty blindfold? Damn! What a waste! Raowel, you $%!#$!"

He would have gone into a fit of rage, to say the least.

But that version of Grid no longer existed.

'This is the blindfold that Raowel advised me to get at all costs.'

It couldn't possibly be just an ordinary item.

After all, items cannot be judged by their appearance alone.

Grid, filled with great anticipation, used a skill.

"Appraisal of the Legendary Blacksmith."

[The legendary blacksmith appraises items with an outstanding eye that surpasses ordinary people. If there are any hidden functions in the target item, they will be discovered.]

Ding~

<Executioner Demon's Blindfold>

Grade: Unique

Durability: 7/7

*Skill <Vital Point Detection> created.

The Executioner Demon suffered torture throughout his life and was forced to witness the torture of countless people.

As a result, he became an expert in identifying vital points of living beings.

This blindfold, which the Executioner Demon used for a long time, has some of that ability attributed to it.

Usage Condition: None

Weight: 0.1

[The hidden function of the item has been discovered!]

!!!! This is an item imbued with the Executioner Demon's resentment. The wearer will be dominated by a killing impulse and become a mindless murderer. !!!!

It was an item cursed with a terrible curse.

If the wearer became a mindless murderer, normal gameplay would be impossible.

But Grid was not concerned.

A curse?

It's just a matter of resisting it.

"Raowel, this pretty little thing."

Grid was elated. He felt like summoning Raowel right away to give him a hug.

The Executioner Demon's Blindfold was an excellent item.

No, it was more than just excellent.

It was an item that could help the descendant of Pagma, who is half a crafter, shed one layer of the 'limit' he should bear. It was truly a fantastic item.

'I never thought I would get Vital Point Detection.'

Vital Point Detection.

It is a top-tier passive skill, optimized for combat and acquired by only a select few professions.

Its function is simple.

As the name suggests, it identifies the vital points of the opponent.

However, this simple function had an incredible impact.

If the vital points of the target are hit accurately, the critical hit probability increases, and it can cause bleeding, paralysis, and other status effects.

In other words, it means a significant boost in combat power.

'Raowel, you must have done a great job with Hines, who has connections with the monster appraiser.'

Hines, the top-ranked monster appraiser.

He has the ability to predict the items that monsters will drop based on their characteristics.

If a miner has a mineral detector, Hines is like an item detector.

'To get such information from Hines, a large sum of money must have been paid as a reward.'

Grid could feel that Raowel's loyalty was deepening day by day.

His affection for Raowel, who was working hard to overcome his weaknesses, soared infinitely.

'Even amidst the busy schedule of acting as the lord, he still thinks about me... I must repay his efforts.'

With this resolve, the elated Grid put on the blindfold. Then something interesting happened.

The left eye, covered by the blindfold, began to emit a faint red light. In a bright place, it would be hard to notice, but in this dark basement, the red light was clearly visible.

If the middle schooler Raowel saw this, he would have been excited, thinking it was very cool.

[Hatred towards humans is rising. Overwhelmed by a killing impulse.]

[Resisted.]

Grid was receiving a new field of vision.

When he glanced at Randy, who was standing next to him, the area where the doppleganger's 'life core' was located was naturally captured. Although it wasn't precise, the ability to vaguely identify the target's vital points was a powerful one.

'I was worried that one side of my vision would be blocked, but fortunately, it isn't.'

It was a perfect artifact.

Assuming he could suppress the killing impulse, a curse.

Grid was as happy as when he raided the Pope and obtained the holy light weapon set.

"But..."

Grid stared at Noe's black tail. It was a blunt, appropriately long, and cute tail. The tip was white like snow, making it look like a flower had bloomed.

"Is your tail your weakness..."

"There is no such thing as a weakness in this body, the first demon of hell! Meow!"

Noe, lifting his front paw, was putting on a ridiculous show of arrogance. He seemed flustered that his weakness had been detected.

Grid thought about making a tail guard for the little guy. Then he turned his attention to another item dropped by the Executioner Demon.

The Executioner Demon's Mask.

An iron mask designed to cover the right half of the face.

'The material is black iron.'

Unlike the plain blindfold, the mask had good material. However, the design was quite disturbing.

The eyes were crying, but the mouth was smiling.

If you only look at the appearance, it is undoubtedly a jester's mask. A drop of blood was engraved at the corner of the eye, making it even more bizarre.

'I didn't hear anything about this mask.'

It must be a minor item that wasn't emphasized.

Grid didn't have high expectations.

"Appraisal of the Legendary Blacksmith."

Ding~

<Executioner Demon's Mask>

Grade: Legendary

Durability: 39/39 Defense: 21

*Skill <Demon's Blood Tears> created.

A mask imbued with the sorrow of the Executioner Demon, who lived a painful life because he was born as a half-human, half-demon.

Usage Condition: None

Weight: 55

[The hidden function of the item has been discovered!]

!!!! This is an item imbued with the Executioner Demon's resentment. The wearer will be dominated by a killing impulse and become a mindless murderer. !!!!

<Demon's Blood Tears>

When hit, there is an 8% chance of blood flow. The blood flow will dye the Executioner Demon's Mask red, and when the blood flow occurs 10 times, the mask will transform into a vivid red color.

At this time, the wearer's attack power will increase by 50% for 5 seconds.

"Unbelievable."

It was a spontaneous exclamation.

Grid was in shock.

Demon's Blood Tears.

Although it was a skill that activated under certain conditions, its power was outstanding. It was almost a cheat. It was no wonder it was a Legendary-grade artifact.

'Raowel didn't mention this item because he didn't know about it.'

It was evidence that Hines' level was still insufficient.

Ultimately, it was a gain.

If Hines had known about the existence of this mask, Raowel would have had to pay a higher information fee.

"Ha ha ha."

Grid, unable to contain his excitement, laughed.

With half of his face covered by a black mask and a red light emitting from his left eye, which was covered by the blindfold, he looked like a demon.

Compared to when he wore the inverted Frosty Orc Chief's helmet, the overwhelming presence made him an untouchable being.

If Raowel saw this, he would have fallen in love at first sight.

***

"This, this can't be..."

The Viscount Zibra, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, could not believe the scene before his eyes.

The Executioner Demon, who no one could defeat, had left only a part of his body and disappeared.

And it was all due to one person!

"Who, who are you? Huh?"

Is this really the power of a human?

The Viscount Zibra, who had been asking questions while backing away, swallowed hard.

He was frightened by the sight of Grid, wearing a bizarre mask and blindfold.

'What is that red light in his eyes...'

He doesn't look human at all.

Could this person be a true monster?

The Viscount Zibra, who was imagining all sorts of things, had his hand extended by Grid.

"Hand over your earring."

"Ah, I understand!"

The Viscount Zibra immediately handed over his most cherished treasure to Grid.

A black amethyst earring that increased the wearer's intelligence by 15%.

It was not only beautiful but also a family heirloom.

When no one came forward to eliminate the Executioner Demon, he had offered the family treasure as a reward in a hurry. He never imagined he would actually have to give it to someone. Now he regretted it.

'After all, the Executioner Demon was supposed to be eliminated by the elite knights... Damn, I'll have to send an assassin to take it back from this guy.'

The Viscount Zibra's eyes were filled with greed as he casually planned a cruel scheme.

But who is greedy?

None other than Grid.

Grid could not have failed to read the Viscount Zibra's eyes.

'What a pitiful guy.'

He chuckled.

Grid's sudden laughter made the Viscount Zibra flinch.

"Why, why are you laughing all of a sudden?"

"Because you're cute."

"What...!"

The Viscount Zibra's face turned red with anger.

A viscount of a great empire and a man over forty being called cute? Was this a compliment? It was a clear mockery.

'What a lunatic!'

The Viscount Zibra did not like Grid at all. He had been rude from the beginning. If it weren't for his character, he would have tortured and killed him cruelly.

"Thank you."

The Viscount Zibra, who could not even meet Grid's eyes after he had eliminated the Executioner Demon alone, only wished for him to leave quickly.

While looking at him with lowered eyes, Grid, smirking, put on the black amethyst earring in his left ear.

[Intelligence increased by 15%.]

'For a reward of an S+ grade quest, it's not bad.'

In fact, an accessory that increased intelligence by 15% was extremely valuable. It was something any mage would covet.

However, for Grid, whose intelligence value had already exceeded 1,000 due to the effects of various titles, intelligence was no longer a necessary stat.

He had secured enough mana to cast skills and no longer used Dainsleif, so his magic power value was not important.

'I'll use this until I find a jeweler who can make accessories with purple orichalcum, then sell it.'

With this plan, Grid asked the Viscount Zibra, who was avoiding his gaze.

"Do you know the feelings of the weak?"

"…?"

It was an unexpected question.

The Viscount Zibra, who had been hoping this terrifying guy would just shut up and disappear, reluctantly answered.

"I don't know about such things."

He had been born a viscount's son and had always been a strong person. Thousands of citizens bowed before him, and thousands of soldiers obeyed him.

The feelings of the weak?

He had never experienced them and had no interest in them.

Grid nodded.

"Of course. You don't know, so you do such things."

Being bullied unilaterally just because one is weak.

Grid knew very well how painful and terrifying it was.

He had no intention of sparing the Viscount Zibra, who had falsely accused and cruelly tortured and killed citizens for his own amusement.

"You have many weaknesses, don't you?"

The red eye behind the blindfold scanned the Viscount Zibra's plump body.

The Viscount Zibra, feeling a chill, took a step back in fear.

"What, what are you doing? What are you trying to do!"

Grid shrugged.

"What am I doing? Nothing."

Then he just passed by.

The Viscount Zibra, hearing the sound of Grid's footsteps fading away, felt relieved.

He waited until the sound of the footsteps disappeared, then quickly ran to the main hall.