Chapter 148: Understanding the Situation (2)
It was natural to need luck-cleansing before a major event.
"Du-sik, open the black one first."
No matter how much Erik trusted his instincts, he couldn't help but feel anxious.
'A Mythic-grade item is literally the only one of its kind at this point in ti.'
That's why he had Du-sik open the 150-count box they'd obtained from the Labyrinth before.
'Since it's a low-tier box, I need to clear it out quickly.'
The sa black boxes yield different items depending on which layer you obtained them from. Boxes from below the 30th floor only produce up to 2nd Tier Enhancent Tickets. While cleansing luck, the intention was to secure low-tier items.
Drrrr!
"Let's go!"
Jang Du-sik frantically began opening and closing the box. Countless items poured out through the gaps of the rattling box. He was achieving success at nearly a 100% rate, wasn't he?
[1st Tier Enhancent Ticket] × 330 [2nd Tier Enhancent Ticket] × 310
Getting bundles of ten Enhancent Tickets tumbling out at once—that was insane luck. The Possessors watching felt sothing was off.
'Is Brother Du-sik so kind of luck totem?'
Especially those like Park Chang-ho, who had experience as adventurers, couldn't accept it.
'We don't even get that kind of drop rate from red boxes, which have better odds?'
Even though rewards are lower, lower-tier boxes have higher drop rates. Yet here, items were pouring out of black boxes with their atrocious odds.
"Du-sik, wait."
After a long streak of successes, Erik suddenly stopped the box-breaking. The montum was truly flowing well now. Wasn't this the mont to make a bold play? Erik felt convinced that the item he wanted would drop.
"Let's open the Mythic-grade one."
But Jang Du-sik suddenly said sothing strange.
"Brother, is there sothing you're wishing for?"
"What happens if I say it?"
"I have a feeling it'll work!"
Looking at Du-sik's confident expression, Erik slowly closed his eyes. If probability adjustnt actually occurred, what should he obtain? He thought for a mont.
'I should aim for an accessory.'
[Mythic Bloodbattle Shield] —even if sothing like that dropped, he couldn't use it himself, and the Possessors didn't have hundreds of billions of Gold to purchase it at a high price. So, aiming for a universal accessory that anyone could use was the best strategy.
'The question is whether it's a necklace, earring, or ring.'
Necklaces increase [Stats]. Earrings have [Skill]-related effects. Rings co with [Attack Power Increase]. Additionally, each accessory randomly gets one [Trait], which is purely luck-dependent. He was tempted to match three cooldown reduction traits to spam [Judgnt] with unlimited cooldown, or scatter [teor Shower]... but...
'Skills take too long to collect, so rings first.'
Erik decided to choose a ring first. The efficiency was overwhelming.
"Du-sik, it has to be a ring, no matter what!"
Then his right knee twitched. When Erik turned his head, he saw cyan-colored eyes. Ruelle touched her empty ear. Erik sent a signal with his eyes to wait for later, but Ruelle turned her head with a "hmph."
'I should do sothing for her eventually.'
Ruelle, who was conducting both prayer etings and Riferoze's training simultaneously. Wasn't Ruelle the greatest contributor, earning both GP and Gold?
'Moreover, now that she has strategic-level military power...'
Even if he repays her later, for now, he should focus on the boxes. That's the proper respect for rewards. Erik quietly shifted his gaze toward the boxes.
"Brother, I'll open it!"
Jang Du-sik shouted, shining brilliantly. Then he imdiately opened the box.
Click!
A white light symbolizing the birth of Mythic-grade erged from the opened box.
"Ah, an accessory dropped!!!"
"Insane. Really, insane!"
"Is that... a one-ti drop?"
The audience's praise continued. It was overwhelming applause.
"It's even a ring!"
"A ring with attack power increase has insane damage boost, and he's getting it on a one-ti drop."
The monstrous luck heated up the temple. Among them, Erik was the most heated. A ring with attack power increase. He'd obtained exactly what he intended.
'Now I just need to check the trait.'
Continental Online's traits exist in staggering numbers. Similar to [Unique Traits], items with traits are the sa. As long as nothing like entertainnt traits dropped, it would be the best possible outco.
Uuuung!
The light surrounding the ring floating above the box settled, and a detailed na tag appeared.
Paaat!
[Ring of Destruction - Mythic Grade]
[Attack Power 500%]
[Trait: Absolute Hit]
"500% attack increase, insane!!"
Starting from a minimum of 100%, attack power increase appeared at its maximum of 500%. The start was already very good. However, the trait that appeared at the end was slightly ambiguous.
"Perfect accuracy?"
"Even with Absolute Hit, most mobs are too huge for it to matter anyway..."
"A 500% attack increase just dropped, and you're worried about the trait?"
No one paid attention to the trait. Because a 500% attack power increase alone, without any enhancent, was already incredible performance.
'Depending on who uses it, the trait can beco overpowered too.'
But Erik thought differently.
***
After completing the grand Mythic-grade opening ceremony, all the Possessors lined up in the training grounds. It was due to Riferoze's strong will.
"Rest is sufficient only after death. Those are words my student taught ."
Erik stood in the temple, observing the scene.
"Tch! Those annoying brats, I'll definitely land a hit on them."
The Possessors bared their teeth like fighting dogs, threatening the small children.
"Needlessly sharp tongues. Could it be that you're scared?"
The children clashed their swords and provoked them back. At that, Nishida Ryo used [Taunt] and launched a preemptive attack, and training began with that as the signal. Watching the training, Janson approached.
-Boss, surely not the ring?
A voice through the guild voice chat. The aning was clear. Erik gave a slight nod.
-Ruelle's accuracy is apparently pathetic, so wouldn't the ring with Absolute Hit solve that?
Item traits apply to locals as well. However, they can't see na tags, so they establish performance through direct use, that's the difference.
-Then what will you have, Boss?
Janson found it strange that Erik was being so generous. Then Erik pointed to the training grounds with his fingertip.
Ching! Chang! Ting!
"Nishida, hold on! Kang Pung-ho, spread Rupture!"
Though it was called training, it had already far transcended the boundaries of training. That place was a precisely moving battlefield.
-Janson, look.
Erik had grasped the true value. The training thod Riferoze intended would be a massive help for the future situation.
-The Possessors use skills to face strong locals.
The orphanage children looked like children, but in reality, they possessed martial prowess stronger than average imperial knights. A group of children mixed with mages and clerics moved like a small military unit. The Possessors were employing effective strategies against them.
-Moreover, the children are becoming accustod to skills too.
Are kids quick to learn? The orphanage children were also becoming familiar with combat against Possessors. They showed martial skill by gauging skill motions and executing evasive maneuvers in advance, or even wounding themselves to refresh consciousness to avoid being captivated by taunt skills.
-That, that ans...
Janason finally realized what Erik had obtained.
-I've obtained an army.
The mont Erik finished speaking, the battlefield was decided.
"Kraaagh!!!"
A massive sword aura finally pierced through Nishida's defense and severed his neck. With the front line broken, Kang Pung-ho and Park Chang-ho collapsed in an instant. The three n were revived at the [Resurrection Point] shortly after death.
"Hey!!! One more round!"
Nishida Ryo, revived first, flared up and rushed back to the training grounds. Though his reckless nature still remained essentially unchanged, his willpower had beco overwhelmingly stronger.
'If the guild mbers form a subjugation party, these kids will just get stronger.'
Seeing this, Erik was certain. This was reality, after all.
'Ruelle must be incredible as well.'
While Riferoze was absorbed in training, Erik took Ruelle outside the temple. He used the [Portal] installed in the temple. One connected to the imperial capital fountain, and another led to the church. The last one he was saving as a spare. As they returned to the church, Ruelle confidently shouted.
"The believers are being rotated well, so prayer eting preparations are proceeding steadily!"
Since they'd already locked down the mythic-style concept, there wasn't much to change, Ruelle boasted.
"That's not why I brought you here."
"Then... what?"
Erik took Ruelle's hand. Seeing her work hard for his benefit made his heart ache.
"You're conducting prayer etings, caring for children, and now training—I wonder if Ruelle isn't the busiest person of all?"
Erik pulled out the Mythic-grade ring he'd obtained as a reward. Then he slipped it onto her hand. The place was her left ring finger.
"Ah."
Ruelle's eyes grew moist. The left ring finger—wasn't that the place that promises eternity? The aning was clear.
"I'll treasure it more than my most cherished bag."
Ruelle, overco with emotion, said so. More precious than the first luxury item, the Chanel bag that Erik had personally made for her when she was young.
"I'll fill all ten fingers with rings like this one."
Looking at those misty cyan eyes and the delicate fingers with the ring, Erik also made a firm resolve. It was like a vow.
"Uu—, ten all at once is a bit much—."
Ruelle faltered and then quickly changed the subject.
"Erik, are you going back to the battlefield?"
"Yes. There are many to kill and many people to find."
"People to find... you an your old friends, right?"
Ruelle also knew that Erik's past connections had been possessed. However, there was one problem.
'Are they all won?'
The first 300 Possessors Erik brought were mostly female. So she was worried.
"Those 300 were selected with priority on won to prepare for unforeseen circumstances, so there's no need to worry."
Erik added calmly. Guild mbers: 60% male, 40% female ratio. Possessors: 70% male, 30% female ratio.
"The female ratio is quite high."
"30% is low, isn't it?"
Erik continued calmly. Since gas inherently have an overwhelmingly high male ratio, a 30% female ratio was actually incredibly high.
"So, more than half of your old friends are actually n?"
Ruelle found this stranger.
'Did Erik have any male friends?'
Co to think of it, Erik had never had a single sa-sex friend. All were either his subordinates, or people like the Emperor or Pope—superiors in rank.
'Du-sik and Jackson are similar too.'
In other words, he had quite the alpha male disposition. As Ruelle pondered, Erik stepped closer.
"Would I distinguish between n and won?"
A fresh smile played at his lips, and Ruelle pondered the aning.
'Co to think of it, Serina, Gina, and Erica are all similar.'
Erik was soone who maintained hierarchy regardless of gender. Of course, there were exceptions.
'I'm not one, am I?'
Ruelle felt a sense of pride. She realized her special status.
"Hmm hmm."
A humming lody flowed out. Following that rhythm, Erik's world was dyed pink. It would have been nice if it ended so pleasantly...
"By Imperial Treaty violation, the Adventurer's Guild hereby announces its withdrawal from the Empire effective imdiately!"
Ruelle's church was in District 3. Close to the Labyrinth Square, it was an area where many adventurers lived.
"W-what's that all of a sudden, Erik?"
Ard adventurers began moving toward District 4 along the roads of District 3.
"Those bastards... they're planning to leave the Empire, aren't they?"
Erik's eyes sharpened. With imperial permission, adventurers could apparently leave so openly with such a grand procession.
'Am I just going to let that happen?'
But Erik couldn't accept that.
***
"Your Majesty, are you truly letting them leave like that?"
The Grand Hall of the Imperial Palace beca chaotic. Among the capital's 2 million residents, adventurers numbered 100,000. Most of them worked in the Labyrinth, so losing 100,000 was a significant problem.
"A covenant cannot be broken."
The Emperor delivered a heavy statent to the clamoring officials and ministers. An oath between the Adventurer King and the Empire.
"Though it's true that Erik has caused adventurers to pierce through the imperial authority... we can't necessarily say he belongs to the Empire, can we?"
"The very fact that we need to examine it is the problem."
The Emperor was confident. Rather than playing word gas with excuses, he would boldly acknowledge it. Given the Emperor's temperant, he couldn't tolerate avoiding a covenant through loopholes. His pride wouldn't allow it.
"It's as refreshing a counteraction as it was before. Everyone, calm down."
Contingencies were already prepared. Earthtown, which Erik had arranged. And the Possessors to settle there.
"-Thus, though there may be short-term economic damage to the Empire, it will quickly stabilize."
Pri Minister Fernasia explained this in detail.
"Didn't that Erik bring the old man who erased the Black River himself?"
"Even if we abandon all the adventurers, binding him to the Empire would be more beneficial. A wise decision! As expected, Your Majesty."
The ministers also bowed to the Emperor. They understood that Erik's existence was more valuable than re adventurers.
'To think he wields such great economic influence...'
Of course, so nobles were worried about Erik's growing influence, but upon seeing the imperial system the Emperor revealed, they changed their minds.
Srruk!
The Emperor waved his hand, revealing moonlight. His intention was to observe Erik's movents together with the Empire's key figures.
'How did he even co from the Papal See to the Empire?'
Not knowing Erik's detailed power, the Emperor grew curious. Surely Erik's traces through the moonlight had ended at the Papal See.
'How mysterious.'
The Emperor was surprised that Erik appeared at the Imperial Capital Church, but what followed was even more remarkable.
"Stop the adventurers?"
"Your Majesty, is that even allowed?"
Erik blocked the adventurer procession.
"Everyone, quiet."
The Emperor quieted the commotion and focused on the voice transmitted by moonlight.
"Those who ca to the Empire dreaming of wealth and glory are leaving with so much baggage. How is that?"
Erik stood before the adventurers and raised his montum. Even the high-level adventurers who frequented the upper floors of the Labyrinth felt a chill.
"Humans are born naked and leave naked. Those who ca to the Empire naked should leave the sa way, shouldn't they?"
Noble words, a dignified bearing. But the essence was simple.
"Huah."
The Emperor let out a sound of admiration. Wasn't he blocking the adventurers and demanding paynt—extortion?
"Wouldn't making enemies of adventurers be disadvantageous?"
"How would we conquer the Labyrinth—."
Worry naturally arose. The ministers expressed concerns, looking to the Emperor. But the Emperor's lips held a very satisfied smile, and the ministers naturally fell silent. In the silence, moonlight showed Erik's situation more clearly. The director of the Adventurer's Guild Imperial Branch stepped forward.
"The adventurers are leaving with His Majesty's permission. Furthermore, the reason isn't that Saint Erik has severed adventurers' necks, is it?"
At those words, Erik's head tilted. And the words that followed:
"Right now, you're advocating heretical acts in front of ?"
"H-heretical? What do you—."
Without question. Erik pressed a blade to the Branch Director's neck. It was coercive action. Just as the adventurers were about to draw their weapons.
"Everyone, don't resist."
The Branch Director stopped them. He seed to have anticipated it, showing a twisted smile.
"I'll need your cooperation for a mont."
"Do as you wish."
The mont the Branch Director shrugged. Erik scattered Divine Power. Everyone felt the power of divinity.
"Huh—. Free healing, nice."
"The Saint is doing all this on the way out."
"Haha, scared, huh? Making enemies with adventurers and how will you conquer the Labyrinth going forward."
Sarcastic voices poured in. The Empire's key figures watching from the palace were furious at how irritating it was. Then Erik suddenly posed a question.
"I have cooperated with Black Mage Groups or Black Mages. Raise your hands."
What kind of nonsense was this? Everyone's eyes widened. Then Erik drew [Sword of Creation].
Swish!
The sword sliced horizontally, and three people's necks fell. Everyone was flustered by the completely unexpected situation. The imperial figures watching were the sa.
"What... what is this!"
Even the Pri Minister cried out in shock. Making enemies of adventurers could an significant hindrance to Labyrinth conquest.
"Making such insane moves before the Great Cataclysm Labyrinth—."
Without interrogation or investigation, without even evidence, he severed three necks. It was clearly problematic. But Erik's actions didn't end there.
"Next."
Erik looked at the flustered adventurers and began the next question.
"I have intentionally caused damage to the Empire. Raise your hands."
The question posed while pointing a massive greatsword demanded no answer.
Thunk! Thunk!
"Kahahahaha!!!"
The Emperor burst into loud laughter watching the scene. Laughing heartily, he struck the armrest of his throne. And he said:
"There's a saying that a hero distinguishes honor from sha and judges truth rely by observation."
The Emperor imdiately ordered the Imperial Guard General.
"General, go protect Erik."
According to intelligence just received, the Adventurer King's direct unit on standby at the border had moved. The Emperor's eyes narrowed.
"Dangerous ones have arrived."
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