Chapter 85

Temper 14 - Chapter 11

Identify the target. Predict the danger.

This is a description of the Insight stat.

Before meeting the sword knight Piaro, Grid, who was still a beginner, used Insight as a simple combat power meter.

But in fact, Insight was an absolute factor that increased one's combat power.

Predicting danger means,

"Rat bastard!"

It means reading the enemy's movements.

Grid did not easily allow Camian's attacks.

He evaded, defended, and linked his movements into a counterattack, delivering a counter.

It was the movement that Piaro had taught him several times in a fit of rage.

"Ugh!"

Efficient movements helped him bring out 100% of his abilities.

Grid's strikes were fierce and powerful.

"K, Kuh...! This guy!"

Camian couldn't believe it.

Instead of overwhelming an unarmed opponent, he was only accumulating damage.

'Is the gap in skill between me and this guy really this big? Something is wrong...! This can't be happening!'

Camian, who believed that the world was nothing more than the well named "Empire," was indifferent to events happening in other small countries.

Thus, he didn't know Grid. He only learned about Grid for the first time after coming to the Vatican.

From what he heard, Grid was merely a powerful enough to barely defeat the former Pope Drevigo.

But what was the reality?

Grid had solo raided several bosses much stronger than Drevigo.

Under Piaro's guidance, he even fought with Randy, a clone of Pagma, 83 times.

If anything, Grid, who was taught by Piaro, was the true successor of the Red Knights.

Camian, who was only the 30th among the Red Knights trained by Sword Master Limit, was not a match for him.

With a twisted face and gritted teeth, Camian was provoked by Grid.

"Black decorations? What a disgrace, can't even subdue an unarmed opponent?"

"Shut up!!"

Camian had lost his composure after being stabbed in the chest by a golden spear blade that suddenly flew at him.

His anger flared up, and he easily fell for Grid's provocation, making his movements larger.

This only benefited Grid.

The <Critical Spot Detection> ability embedded in the blindfold of the Slaughter Demon combined with his high Insight, causing an explosive synergy.

At this moment, Grid was the conductor controlling the marionette named Camian.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Recalling the movements of the strongest martial artist, Legas, Grid clumsily followed them.

Sometimes short, sometimes long, his punches delivered relentless counters.

Attacks that relentlessly targeted the gaps in the armor caused confusion for Camian.

'Another five hits...!'

Every time Grid punched, his gauntlet intermittently emitted light.

Each time, Camian had to endure the pain of being hit five times.

This was the effect of the <5-Combo> ability embedded in the Holy Light Gauntlet.

Indeed.

Grid, as always, was relying on his gear.

Squish-

Thud!

Whenever he spotted an opening, Rapha's spear blade shot out like a bullet.

Made of Pabram, it was the pinnacle of gear.

Unlike bare fists, it inflicted damage on Camian that couldn't be ignored.

[3,830 damage dealt to the target.]

'Good, this time it really hit.'

<Rapha's Spear Blade (Replica)>

Grade: Unique

Durability: None

Attack Power: 101~730

*Holy Power +200

*+1,500 fixed damage per attack.

*Low chance to activate 'Wheel of Light' skill.

*+20% attack power against targets with dark magic power.

Crafted by the blacksmith G, who is becoming a true legend.

A miniaturized version of the blade of Rapha's Spear, one of the three divine artifacts of the Rebecca Church.

Made from the legendary mineral Pabram, which has a will of its own, it strongly tends to protect its owner and moves on its own.

Weight: 14

It cannot be used as a weapon because it lacks a shaft or handle.

Perhaps because of this, or because it is imbued with holy power, Rapha's spear blade was free from the restriction of not being able to use weapons.

Grid actively utilized it, gradually turning Camian into a mess with continuous effective hits.

"Kuaaa! I'll kill you! I'll kill you!"

Originally, Camian planned to toy with Grid slowly before killing him. But as he found himself on the defensive, he grew impatient and used a skill.

Paf!

Camian, who activated <Keen Senses>, evaded Grid's attacks in succession and counterattacked.

His sword drew vertical and horizontal lines in quick succession. It was the manifestation of Dual Cross Sword.

Though only a four-hit combo, its speed rivaled that of a chain. The sound of the sword cutting through the air followed.

Grid's red light intensified.

His high Insight was warning him.

'Can't avoid it.'

Should he counter after being hit?

No. That would only be a loss for the unarmed Grid. It would be a situation where he would lose without gaining anything.

Then,

'I'll break it.'

Grid clenched his teeth and extended his fist.

Facing a sword attack imbued with aura with bare fists, it was a crazy move by any standard.

Grid believed that his fist and arm would be split into eight pieces.

The millions of viewers watching the battle also thought the same.

But it was arrogant to judge Grid, who was becoming a true legend, as a mere or mediocre genius.

Grid's actions had reasons beyond what an ordinary person could imagine.

Gear.

Squish!

At the moment Grid's fist and the cross sword collided,

Flash!

The ruby ring on Grid's middle finger emitted a dark aura.

[The option effect of the <Ring of Darkverse> has been activated, nullifying the target's skill.]

"What!"

Camian was shocked!

- Wow;; What is that?

- The skill disappeared;;

- But, why is Grid so good at controlling? How can he counter a sword attack with his fists? Is that really Grid?

- It must be agility.

- Yeah, it seems like he maximized his agility with gear.

The amazed viewers!

'If you can't avoid it, use it.'

Grid's expression was solemn as he glared at the magic device used for filming.

'Watch closely.'

Squish!!

Grid's fist, which pierced through the cross sword, struck Camian's face directly.

Rapha's spear blade rushed towards Camian's forehead.

Grid was holding the artifact <Red Lightning Summoning Sphere> he had obtained from raiding the Frost Orc Chief.

'I am the master of gear.'

Gear is the strongest.

'Never dare to challenge us again!'

It was a warning to the seven guilds that had invaded Raidan in his absence, delivered in the form of red lightning.

Rumble!!

The red lightning that pierced the sky and appeared was embedded in Rapha's spear blade,

Thud!

The spear blade, with added lightning attribute attack power, pierced Camian's forehead.

[Critical!!!]

[Red lightning adds 30% attack power and electrifies the target.]

[17,300 damage dealt to the target!!]

"Kuaaaack!!"

Camian screamed. It was the most intense and painful moment since the battle began.

Now, while he was electrified, was the opportunity to deal a fatal blow.

Grid, who judged the situation, activated <Blacksmith's Fury> and charged like a whirlwind.

Grid, who was equipped with <Brahm's Boots> instead of <Grid's Boots> to maximize the power of greatsword skills, was now wearing a <Hoodie>. He had a 40% movement speed buff.

"Wait, just...!"

Camian, who was terrified by the red light from the blindfold that seemed to burn it, pleaded, but it was in vain.

The skill <Unbreakable Justice>, which Grid had learned after rescuing Huroi and obtaining the title <Apostle of Justice>, manifested through his clenched fist.

Boom!!

"......!"

Camian couldn't even scream.

His head, hit directly in the face, was buried deep into the blacksmith's wall.

Broken teeth and blood stained the Slaughter Demon's mask.

[Critical!!!]

[The 5-Combo skill is activated due to the option effect of the <Holy Light Gauntlet>.]

[7,020 damage dealt to the target!!]

Crack! Crack!!

Cracks began to appear in the blacksmith's wall where Camian's head was buried.

It was a scene that proved Grid's strength, enhanced by various titles, had surpassed human limits.

However, Camian's health was still more than two-thirds remaining.

The limit of bare fists.

Camian's health and defense were simply too high.

'Just keep hitting until he dies.'

Another Red Knight, standing at a distance with his arms crossed.

Grid intended to thoroughly use the other knight's relaxed attitude of not participating in the battle.

He was determined to kill Camian before the other knight changed his mind and intervened.

Squish! Squish!! Squish!!!

Grid's fists continuously struck Camian's face. The enhanced attack power and speed from Blacksmith's Fury completely neutralized Camian.

Camian activated <Super Armor> to try to shake off Grid, but the Ring of Darkverse shattered it.

'Is this guy a dragon?'

The self-moving golden spear blade, the boots and cloak of speed, the blindfold that detects weaknesses, the ring that nullifies skills, the gauntlet that delivers combos, and the armor with overwhelming defense.

Grid was covered in artifacts and weapons that seemed to only appear in legends. He looked like a walking royal treasure vault.

It would be impossible to collect such artifacts in a human's short lifetime.

Camian didn't think Grid was human.

Meanwhile, Grid's punches continued.

Rumble!!

Finally, the blacksmith's wall completely collapsed.

With no place to lean, Camian's chin was struck by Grid's knee.

Rapha's spear blade flew towards his face, which was thrown upwards, dealing a fatal blow.

Thud!

Sprays of blood splattered over the remains of the blacksmith's shop. It was a scene reminiscent of a battlefield.

- Wow...

- God...

It was a strength that transcended common sense.

After the golem invasion, Grid, who had not appeared in public for a long time, had grown even more. Even his previously criticized poor control seemed to have improved.

With gear, skills, stats, and now control, the current Grid was a complete entity.

- Changed his underwear and came.

- Should wear a diaper like me.

- But the Red Knight is weaker than the rumors?

- He seems to be the 30th knight? The strength varies greatly depending on the number.

- Yeah, solo Number Knights are really a different level.

- What, I thought Grid was terrifyingly strong...

- He is terrifyingly strong. -_-

- He's the 30th knight, right? He could probably take down other top players.

- No, man. Grid is bare-handed.

- Bare-handed, my ass. The effective hits are continuously dealt by the golden spear. Isn't that a weapon?

On the OGC web channel chat, dozens of messages appeared per second. The chat moderator had to give up on restraining the users who were using profanity.

Meanwhile, the TV channel's ratings were breaking 30%. The ratings were soaring in real-time.

It was 6:20 PM on a Saturday.

In the prime time slot, where various popular programs were competing, a cable channel was setting an incredible record.

'Indeed, Grid, with a viewing power that surpasses imagination.'

It was impossible to predict how high the ratings would go.

But there was one problem...

"Isn't it too cruel?"

"The Broadcasting and Communications Commission will give a severe warning. It would be better to temporarily suspend the broadcast."

Grid's fighting style was not something suitable for minors to watch.

Even though the opponent was an NPC, the fact that he relentlessly targeted vital points and even smiled while doing so was not normal.

It was proving the reason why he was once called a psychopath.

The team leader, Lee Guk-rae, reassured the worried team members.

"I'll take full responsibility. Don't worry and keep broadcasting."

His blood as a broadcaster was boiling.

Even if he had to strip naked, Lee Guk-rae had no regrets.

Because he could write a new legend in the broadcasting industry.